What happened
On September 30, 2004, a Partenaxia P.66C, registration I-IAAZ, departed Viterbo airport for a training flight to Genoa. The flight was being conducted by a student pilot with approximately 61 flight hours. During the flight, the aircraft was instructed by Sarzana Tower to deviate from its original route toward the mountains to avoid an active firing range.
While flying north of Viareggio, the student pilot communicated via portable radio to another aircraft that he was flying above the cloud layer at 5,000 feet but was struggling to find a gap in the clouds to descend. Following this communication, the aircraft was not seen again. The wreckage of the P.66C was later discovered embedded in dense vegetation on the slopes of Monte Penna. The student pilot was found deceased at the scene.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the wreckage and the pilot's records. The aircraft was found with its nose oriented toward the mountain, indicating a frontal impact with the propeller in rotation. The aircraft's maintenance and documentation were found to be in order.
Investigators reviewed the student pilot's training history, noting a previous instance where he had lost concentration during a navigation flight due to increased stress. Toxicological tests were performed and ruled out the presence of any substances that could have impaired the pilot's abilities. Meteorological data from Sarzana indicated a cloud base of approximately 3,000 feet.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness while attempting to navigate through cloud cover.
- The presence of low-level stratocumulus clouds, which enveloped the mountain terrain, contributed to the accident.
- The pilot's attempt to descend through the clouds without a clear visual path led to a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).