2 fatalities

Viscount Crashes During Simulated Emergency Landing at Ciampino (I-LIZT)

Rome-Ciampino, ItalyLanding (descent or approach)

On December 21, 1959, a Vickers Viscount (registration I-LIZT) operated by Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane was involved in an aviation accident near Rome-Ciampino, Italy during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was attributed to a balked landing manoeuvre carried out below the speed limits for safe directional control of the aircraft during a critical situation that developed in the last phase of the landing in the course of a simulated emergency… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A Viscount aircraft conducting a simulated two-engine-out emergency landing crashed short of runway 16R at Ciampino, striking the ground with its right wingtip and bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed.

Accident Overview

A Viscount aircraft was performing a semi-annual flight crew check involving a simulated two-engines-out emergency landing. The aircraft was approaching Ciampino's runway 16R with engines number 3 and 4 inoperative. Approximately 400 meters short of the runway threshold, the aircraft suddenly entered a right bank. It struck the ground with the right wingtip, crashed, and caught fire. Both pilots on board were killed.

Context of the Flight

The flight was part of a routine crew proficiency evaluation. The exercise simulated a scenario in which two of the aircraft's four engines were shut down. At the time of the accident, engines 3 and 4 were out, while engines 1 and 2 were operating.

Official Findings

The probable cause, as determined by the investigation, was a balked landing manoeuvre executed below the speed limits required for safe directional control during a critical situation. This situation developed in the final phase of the landing while conducting the simulated emergency exercise with two power units inoperative (number 3 and 4) and two operative (number 1 and 2).