What happened
On July 13, 2002, at approximately 10:30 local time, a Partenavia P66C, registration I-IABX, departed from Reggio Emilia Airport (LIDE) bound for Luni-Sarzana (LIQW). The aircraft was carrying one pilot and two passengers. After takeoff, the flight proceeded southwest, intending to cross the Apennine Mountains.
Later that day, around 12:00 local time, hikers near Monte Bocco heard cries for help and discovered the wreckage at an altitude of approximately 1,791 meters. The aircraft had been destroyed by a large fire. Among the wreckage, one passenger was found deceased, while the pilot and the second passenger were located nearby with serious injuries to their entire bodies. Rescue helicopters were dispatched to transport the survivors to the hospital.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the flight dynamics and environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the wreckage and ground tracks, noting that the aircraft's structure was destroyed by fire. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight history and the meteorological conditions in the area.
Meteorological data indicated a low-pressure system bringing unstable weather and thunderstorms to the region. While visibility at nearby airports was reported as good, the mountainous terrain experienced orographic clouds and convective activity. At the crash site, hikers reported strong winds and shifting cloud layers, which had significantly obscured visibility.
Findings
The investigation determined that the accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). The pilot was flying at a low altitude using ground references to navigate the Apennine range. It is believed the pilot likely entered an orographic cloud, causing a loss of visual references. This led to an accidental deviation from the planned route into a canyon characterized by worsening visibility and downdrafts.
Several contributing factors were identified:
- Inadequate flight planning regarding the unstable meteorological conditions.
- An insufficient assessment of the local microclimate, specifically underestimating the sudden formation of orographic clouds and downdrafts.
- The pilot's flight experience was deemed inadequate for managing flight in marginal visibility conditions.
Additionally, the investigation noted that the aircraft was operating at a weight that exceeded its maximum takeoff weight by approximately 30 kg.