Accident
While cruising at an altitude of 1,040 meters approximately 65 kilometers south of Palermo in marginal weather conditions, a twin-engine aircraft collided with the north slope of Mount La Cinta. The crash site was reached by rescuers three days later. All 31 occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed on impact, with one engine and a wing found about 800 meters from the main wreckage.
Investigation
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be imprudence on the part of the pilot, who failed to maintain a greater safety altitude during flight over Sicily, particularly given the thundery formations present over the area. A contributory factor was the pilot's ignorance of real wind conditions on the route, which led to a displacement of the actual track by 3° relative to the intended track.
Safety Services
The Commission found that the flight safeguarding service provided by the D/F stations of Rome and Cagliari was accomplished with due care. Other D/F stations (Milan and Venice) transmitted bearing information without being asked to do so.