Cessna 650 crashes near Rome during medical evacuation flight

Casualties unknown • Località Trigoria (Roma), IT

A Cessna 650 crashed shortly after takeoff from Rome Ciampino, resulting in the deaths of both crew members during an organ transplant mission.

What happened

On February 7, 2009, a Cessna 650, registration I-FEEV, crashed near Trigoria, Rome, approximately three minutes after departing from Rome Ciampino Airport. The aircraft was operating the first leg of a medical evacuation mission, tasked with transporting a medical team from Bologna to Cagliari for an organ transplant procedure.

After departing runway 15 at 05:00 UTC, the crew established contact with Roma Radar. However, within two minutes of the initial radio contact, air traffic control lost radar contact with the aircraft. Despite multiple attempts by controllers and other aircraft in the area to re-establish communication, the aircraft remained unresponsive. The wreckage was located about thirty minutes later in the Trigoria area. Both the pilot and the first officer sustained fatal injuries.

The investigation

The ANSV investigation examined the wreckage, flight data, and organizational structures of the operator. Investigators analyzed the impact site, which featured a 17-meter-long furrow in the ground. The wreckage distribution—spanning a 40-degree sector with a 350-meter radius—indicated that the aircraft struck the ground at a high angle, with level wings and extremely high velocity.

Examination of the landing gear revealed that the gear was in the retracted and locked position at the time of impact. The investigation also looked into the operational status of the operator, Air One Executive, noting that while the company was authorized for certain air taxi operations, the specific aircraft was not authorized for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) activities. Additionally, it was noted that no technician was present at the airport on the morning of the accident to perform the scheduled daily inspection.

Findings

  • The aircraft struck the ground at a high velocity with the landing gear retracted.
  • The engines were found to have been operating at high RPM at the moment of impact.
  • The aircraft's airframe suffered extreme fragmentation due to the force of the impact.
  • The operator was utilizing the aircraft for an EMS mission despite it not being authorized for such operations.

Probable cause

The aircraft impacted the ground at high speed with its landing gear retracted, following a loss of radar contact and communication shortly after takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2009-02-07 Cessna 650, accident near Località Trigoria (Roma), IT?

A Cessna 650 crashed shortly after takeoff from Rome Ciampino, resulting in the deaths of both crew members during an organ transplant mission.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2009-02-07 involved a Cessna 650,, registration I-, at Località Trigoria (Roma), IT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft impacted the ground at high speed with its landing gear retracted, following a loss of radar contact and communication shortly after takeoff.

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