Flight History
The Cirrus SR20, registration LX-MPR, departed Cannes-Mandelieu Airport (LFMD), France, at 09:14 UTC on 23 June 2011, on a VFR flight plan to Verona Boscomantico Airport (LIPN), Italy, routing via Savona and Voghera. The aircraft carried three persons, including the owner-pilot.
At 09:47:20, Genoa Radar detected the aircraft off the coast of Albenga. At 09:58:00, the controller instructed the pilot to contact Milan FIC as the aircraft was exiting the Genoa CTR. The last reliable radar return was recorded at 09:59:25, while the aircraft was north of Cairo Montenotte Superiore at an altitude of 909 m (2,982 ft).
At 10:14:00, the Savona Carabinieri operations center reported an aviation accident witnessed near Pontivrea. At 12:48:00, the same center informed Genoa Radar of the wreckage discovery north of Cairo Montenotte Superiore.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a 2007 Cirrus SR20 (serial number 1793), manufactured by Cirrus Design Corp., with a composite structure. It was powered by a Teledyne Continental IO-360-ES engine (210 hp) driving a Hartzell three-blade propeller. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had 230 hours 05 minutes total time. Its certificate of airworthiness was valid until 17 April 2012.
The pilot, a 47-year-old French male, held a Luxembourg-issued PPL(A) with a valid SEP (land) rating and medical certificate. He was also the aircraft owner.
Accident Site
The wreckage was located on a south-facing, wooded mountain slope at an altitude of 833 m (2,732 ft). The aircraft was completely destroyed, with extensive fragmentation, and a post-impact fire affected part of the wreckage. Some trees and undergrowth were damaged.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants died: one crew and two passengers. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Meteorological Conditions
An analysis at 500 hPa for 06:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC indicated a frontal system passing over the Alpine and pre-Alpine regions, intensifying existing atmospheric instability over northern Italy. Stable and sunny conditions prevailed over the rest of the peninsula.