Accident Description
On 31 October 2004, at approximately 10:00 UTC (11:00 local time), a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, registration I-NGPR, crashed in a field near via Tivera in Cisterna di Latina, Italy. The aircraft had departed from Latina Airport at 09:46 UTC for a tourist flight with a pilot and one passenger on board. According to the flight notification, the flight was to last four hours and cover the area near Cisterna di Latina.
After takeoff, the pilot reported the aircraft's position downwind and then headed toward Velletri. At 09:51 UTC, the pilot communicated with Latina Tower that the aircraft was at 1,000 feet over Cisterna di Latina and would call when leaving the area. At a distance of approximately 3 kilometers from the airport, while overflying a property owned by the pilot where relatives were present, the aircraft struck the top of a tree, lost altitude, collided with a building under construction, and crashed to the ground. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft make two low passes over the property; during the second pass, which was heading north, the aircraft struck the treetop and disappeared from sight. At 10:06 UTC, the controller at Latina Tower attempted to contact the aircraft multiple times without receiving a response. Both occupants died on impact.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, serial number 28-8090368, built on 6 December 1980, with registration I-NGPR. It was operated by the local Aero Club based at Latina military airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage: primary structural elements such as spars, frames, engine mount, and propeller attachment were broken; wings separated from the fuselage due to high mechanical stress; the engine showed severe damage consistent with high power output at impact; the propeller was torn from the flange; and the landing gear detached after colliding with the building. Additionally, the aircraft damaged trees and construction materials during its ground slide.
Occupant Information
The pilot, a 60-year-old Italian male, held a private pilot license valid until 31 December 2007, but his single-engine piston rating had expired on 18 October 2004, and his medical certificate had expired on 15 October 2004. The passenger, a 54-year-old Italian male, also held a private pilot license; his single-engine piston rating and medical certificate were both valid at the time. Both were members of the local Aero Club.
Investigation
The Italian National Flight Safety Agency (ANSV) conducted a technical investigation in accordance with Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. The investigation included examination of the wreckage, witness statements, and analysis of the flight profile. No flight recorders were installed on the aircraft. The probable cause was not determined in the available portion of the report.