Accident Overview
On 9 March 2002, at approximately 12:39 UTC (13:39 local time), an Antonov AN2 aircraft, registered LY-AVD, impacted the northeast slope of Monte Rotondo in the municipality of Rocca di Mezzo, L'Aquila, Italy. The aircraft was on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight from Budapest, Hungary, to Tunis. All three occupants—two pilots and a Ukrainian passenger—sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
Flight History
The aircraft departed Budapest at 07:29 UTC with a flight plan routing via Split, the Adriatic Sea toward Pescara, then toward the Aneda waypoint and onward to Ostia and Tunis. After overflying Split, it continued over the Adriatic and reached the Pescara area at 12:20 UTC at an altitude of 5,500 feet (1,676 m). Air traffic control inquired whether weather conditions permitted continued VFR flight; the pilots replied affirmatively and were instructed to contact Roma Informazioni. That call was never made, as the aircraft struck Monte Rotondo shortly thereafter.
Meteorological Conditions
A large weather system with an occluded front, strong thunderstorms, low cloud over the Apennine mountains, and potential icing at altitude was present over central Italy on that day.
Wreckage and Investigation
Due to adverse weather, the wreckage was located on 11 March 2002 with helicopter assistance. On 17 April 2002, an ANSV investigation team, supported by alpine rescue personnel and Carabinieri, conducted the on-site examination.
Personnel
The commander, a 46-year-old male, held a valid private pilot license with a rating for the Antonov AN2. He did not hold an instrument rating nor an English language proficiency endorsement. The second pilot's documentation was not found.
Impact Details
The impact occurred at an altitude of about 6,167 feet (1,880 m) on the northeast side of Monte Rotondo. The aircraft's heading was approximately 260° and its estimated ground speed was 115 knots (212 km/h).