What happened
On November 20, 2008, a SIAI Marchett F.260D, registration I-ISAM, crashed into a residential building in Rozzampia, near Thiene Airport, during a solo aerobatic training session. The aircraft was being operated by an aerobatic team as part of a three-day training program scheduled to prepare for the 2009 exhibition season.
After performing several warm-up maneuvers, the pilot attempted a "John Derry" maneuver, which involves a 270-degree left roll followed by a right turn. During the execution of this maneuver, the aircraft's nose dropped below the horizon. The aircraft entered a steep dive with a roll angle of approximately 180 degrees, losing altitude rapidly before impacting a row of houses. The impact caused a significant fire and the complete destruction of the aircraft. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed in the accident. The residential building sustained heavy damage, including a destroyed balcony and structural damage to the walls and roof.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the wreckage, the aircraft's engine and propeller, and the flight control surfaces. Engine tests confirmed that the powerplant was delivering correct power, and no structural in-flight separation was found. Flight tests conducted with an F.260 model demonstrated that this aircraft type has a natural tendency to pitch up and lose altitude during the initial phase of a "John Derry" maneuver.
The investigation also considered the pilot's background. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 11,000 total flight hours and a distinguished history in military jet aerobatics with the "Frecce Tricolori." However, his recent aerobatic experience had been limited to single-engine aircraft. Investigators also noted that the sliding canopy's locking handle was found in the unlocked position, which could have caused a momentary distraction.
Findings
While the total destruction of the wreckage prevented a definitive conclusion, the investigation identified several probable causes and contributing factors:
- The primary cause was likely a loss of control during the "John Derry" maneuver, potentially resulting from an asymmetric stall and subsequent autorotation at an altitude too low to allow for recovery.
- The pilot may have underestimated the specific handling characteristics of a single-engine propeller aircraft during this maneuver, having primarily trained on high-performance jets.
- A potential obstruction in the cockpit, caused by an object belonging to the aircraft or the pilot, may have interfered with the flight controls.
- The lack of an autopsy, as requested by the ANSV but not performed by judicial authorities, meant that a sudden medical emergency during the maneuver could not be entirely ruled out.
Safety action
- The ANSV recommended that the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) increase oversight to ensure that aerobatic flight authorizations are strictly respected at aerodromes.
- The ANSV recommended that the Ministry of Justice ensure that judicial authorities consult with the ANSV before proceeding with burials in fatal accidents, specifically to allow for autopsies that are essential for complete technical investigations.