Accident Overview
A Hercules transport aircraft participating in a joint military exercise between the British and Italian armies crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Pisa-San Giusto Airport. The aircraft, operating under the call sign 'Chalk 4', was part of an exercise named 'Cold Stream' and was en route to the Villacidro dropzone in Sardinia.
Occupants and Flight Details
The Hercules was carrying 46 Italian paratroopers and six British crew members, totaling 52 individuals on board. The accident occurred during a night climb, and the aircraft went out of control before crashing into the sea approximately 7 kilometers offshore. All 52 occupants perished in the crash, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Official Findings on Probable Cause
The official accident investigation concluded that the loss of control might have been the result of an in-flight structural failure. The investigators stated that this assumption was not ruled out, leaving the exact cause undetermined.