Accident
About fifteen minutes after departing Milan-Malpensa Airport, while cruising at 10,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. Shortly after, the right wing separated from the aircraft, and it is believed the airplane was struck by lightning at that time. The aircraft went out of control, entered a dive, and crashed in a field located 32 kilometers northwest of Milan. The airplane was totally destroyed, and all 68 occupants were killed.
Investigation and Probable Cause
Official investigation findings stated that the in-flight breakup was caused by an explosion of fuel vapors contained in tank No. 7, followed immediately by either an explosion of pressure or a further explosion in tank No. 6. In the absence of other significant concrete evidence, and considering the stormy weather conditions with frequent electric discharges present in the area at the time of the crash, investigators assumed that the explosion of fuel vapors in tank No. 7 was initiated through the outlet pipes. This was attributed to the ignition of gasoline vapors issuing from these pipes as a consequence of static electricity discharges, specifically streamer corona, which developed on the vent outlets.