Socata TB 10 accident in Osiglia, Italy (HB-EYZ)

Overview and Investigation Scope The Italian National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) investigated the 22 June 2001 accident involving a Socata TB 10, registration HB-EYZ, near the Lago delle Matotte in the municipality of Osiglia (SV), Italy. The investigation was conducted under Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention and Italian law, with the sole objective of preventing accidents and incidents, excluding any assessment of fault or liability. ## Event Description The aircraft, operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) from Neuchâtel, Switzerland, to Villanova di Albenga, Italy, struck tall vegetation and then the ground while crossing a mountainous area approximately 24 km from its destination. The aircraft caught fire after impact. The wreckage was located on 25 June 2001, three days after the accident, in a beech forest ravine below Monte dei Sette Pani. The site was at coordinates 44° 14.988'N/008° 11.302'E, at an altitude of approximately 3,440 feet (1,048 meters), and was accessible only by a difficult trail. ## Aircraft and Personnel The Socata TB 10, serial number 183, was a single-engine, low-wing, tricycle-gear aircraft with a maximum takeoff mass of 1,150 kg and a four-seat cabin. It was privately owned and used for tourism. The aircraft had approximately 1,310 total hours at the time of the accident. The pilot, a 48-year-old Swiss national, held a valid private pilot license with single- and multi-engine piston ratings and had 1,620 total flight hours. Two of the three passengers also held valid private pilot licenses. All four occupants were Swiss nationals and died in the accident. ## Meteorological Conditions On the day of the accident, a relatively low-pressure area affected northwestern Italy, with fog present in valleys north of Albenga. The nearest weather station, Albenga Airport (approximately 13 nautical miles away), reported at 07:00 UTC: no wind, visibility 10 km, broken clouds at 2,300 feet, temperature 19°C, dew point 15°C, QNH 1012 hPa. Subsequent reports indicated deteriorating visibility. Witnesses confirmed dense fog in the area. The aircraft was flying at 2,500 feet, which allowed visual flight near Osiglia, but visibility reduced significantly toward Monte dei Sette Pani (approximately 4,500 feet) and Colle del Melogno. ## Search and Rescue Search and rescue operations began immediately after the aircraft lost contact with the Milan Flight Information Centre. The operations were coordinated by the Poggio Renatico coordination center and local Carabinieri units. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying low over the mountains near Lago di Osiglia. Approximately 120 personnel, including volunteers and law enforcement, along with helicopters from the Carabinieri, Navy, Air Force, and Fire Brigade, combed the area between Monte dei Sette Pani, Lago di Osiglia, and Colle del Melogno. The wreckage was found on the morning of 25 June 2001 after a local woodcutter reported hearing an aircraft engine near Monte dei Sette Pani.