What happened
On October 31, 2004, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, registration I-NGPR, crashed near Cisterna di Latina, Italy. The flight, which departed from Latina Airport for a local recreational trip, involved a pilot and one passenger. Witnesses observed the aircraft performing two low-altitude passes over a field owned by the pilot, where several of his relatives were working. During the second pass, while flying in a left turn, the aircraft struck the top of a tree. The impact caused the aircraft to lose altitude and collide with a structure under construction, after which the aircraft crashed to the ground. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries upon impact.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the mechanical condition of the engine, and the pilot's credentials. Technical analysis of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft's wings separated from the fuselage due to intense mechanical stress. The engine showed damage consistent with high power being applied at the moment of impact, and the propeller was torn from its hub. The investigation confirmed that the engine and all onboard systems were fully functional and that the aircraft had been properly maintained.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's documentation and found that while the pilot held the appropriate class rating, his medical certificate had expired 16 days prior to the flight. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was flying at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, which was below the minimum required altitude for that type of flight in that area, unless an emergency was declared.
Findings
- The intentional violation of minimum safety altitudes was the primary cause of the accident.
- The pilot likely misjudged the height of the obstacle due to the uneven terrain, specifically the difference in elevation between the olive grove and the adjacent embankment.
- The presence of the pilot's family members on the ground may have caused a momentary distraction, leading the pilot to look downward rather than maintaining focus on the flight path.
- Emotional factors related to the presence of family members may have contributed to the decision to fly at unsafe altitudes.