What happened
On June 9, 2014, a Cessna 172N floatplane, registration I-SIPI, departed from the Como seaplane base for a visual flight rules (VFR) scenic flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers. The flight was intended to provide a sightseeing tour of the Bellagio area.
After taking off, the aircraft proceeded north through the Valvarrone valley. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying at a very low altitude. While navigating the valley near Premana, the pilot attempted a 180-degree right turn, likely to reverse course. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost altitude, struck vegetation, and impacted the southern wall of the valley. The wreckage rolled down the steep terrain and caught fire. All three occupants perished in the accident.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's performance, the environmental conditions, and the flight planning. Investigators recovered wreckage from the valley floor and identified an initial impact point on a tree approximately 60 meters above the main debris field. Analysis of the propeller and engine showed that the engine was operating at power at the moment of impact.
Investigators also reviewed meteorological data, noting that while visibility was excellent, the day was exceptionally hot, with temperatures reaching approximately 30°C—significantly higher than the seasonal average. Digital evidence from a camera recovered from the wreckage helped reconstruct the flight path and confirmed the low altitudes maintained prior to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control in flight resulting from an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft entered a steep turn at a low airspeed, which triggered the stall.
- The pilot's extremely low altitude left no margin for recovery once the stall occurred.
- Inadequate flight planning contributed to the accident, as the chosen route and altitudes were incompatible with the aircraft's performance capabilities under the high ambient temperatures and the aircraft's weight.
- A late decision to execute the turn to return to safety also served as a contributing factor.