Flight History
The flight was a VFR round robin from Vercelli to Albenga for a touch-and-go maneuver and return, conducted without a flight plan. The Diamond DA20-A1, registration I-GVBU, departed Vercelli at 14:05 UTC. While crossing the Ligurian Alps along the Ceva–Ceriale route, the aircraft impacted a ridge about 10–20 meters below the crest of Monte Carmo di Loano, near Bardineto (Savona province), at approximately 14:57 UTC. The impact altitude was about 1,280 m (4,200 ft).
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, a Diamond DA20-A1, was destroyed. Its two occupants, the pilot and a passenger, were killed. The pilot, a 35-year-old Italian male, held a CPL(A) issued in February 2018 with instrument rating (IR ME SP), multi-engine piston (MEP), and single-engine piston (SEP) ratings. He had an English proficiency level 4 and a valid Class 1 medical certificate with VDL limitation (corrective lenses for distance vision and spare glasses). His logbook recorded a total flight time of 245 hours 24 minutes; his last flight, on 23 May 2019, was in the same aircraft. No other persons or property on the ground were harmed.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage was found on the mountainous terrain of Monte Carmo di Loano, within the municipality of Bardineto. The aircraft's debris was distributed in the impact area. Examination of the wreckage revealed extensive damage consistent with a high-energy collision with the slope. No evidence of fire was reported.
Medical and Survival
Both occupants sustained fatal injuries in the impact. There were no survivors. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was not reported to have activated, and no distress calls were recorded.