What happened
On September 3, 2017, a Cessna 182P, registration I-SCAP, crashed near Pontinia, Italy, during a parachute jump operation. The aircraft departed from the "Pegaso Club 2000" airfield for a flight intended to drop four skydivers. Seconds after takeoff, after clearing a high-voltage power line, the aircraft lost altitude. Following a right-hand turn, the aircraft struck trees near the edge of the Via Appia road. While the crew managed to evacuate the wreckage before a fire destroyed the plane, two fatalities occurred due to the severe injuries sustained by the skydivers.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's experience, and the airfield environment. The investigation found that the aircraft had been modified for parachute operations, which involved removing the front passenger seat and the right-hand control column to create floor space for jumpers.
Investigators analyzed the flight path and determined that the aircraft flew for approximately 21 seconds after separation from the ground, reaching a maximum altitude of only about 130 feet. The wreckage and tree impacts indicated the aircraft was in a state of aerodynamic stall with the engine at power. The investigation also noted that the airfield's runway was a grass strip measuring 530 meters in length, with several unmarked obstacles—including high-voltage lines and pine trees—located near the takeoff path.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's loss of control during the initial climb due to a loss of aerodynamic lift.
- The pilot lacked significant experience flying the specific Cessna 182 model, having primarily flown other single-engine piston aircraft.
- There was evidence suggesting the flaps may have been retracted prematurely from 20° to 0° before reaching the necessary climb parameters.
- The short runway length and the presence of unmarked obstacles presented significant operational challenges.
- A lack of formal risk assessment and mitigation procedures for these specific takeoff conditions contributed to the event.
- Regulatory gaps allowed the pilot to perform parachute operations in a specific aircraft type without required transition training or familiarization.