On the occasion of an air show organized for 16 and 17 September 2023 by the Aeroclub of Turin at the Turin-Aeritalia Airport, which included participation from private aircraft and the Italian Air Force, including the Frecce Tricolori, and as part of a series of events celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Air Force, Turin-Caselle Airport was chosen to host the PAN aircraft during the days of the event, as the size of the Aeritalia Airport, especially considering the numerous aircraft participating in the show, was not sufficient to accommodate the Frecce Tricolori.[1] The Acrobatics Team landed at the Turin airport on 14 September and had several activities scheduled in Piedmont besides the show planned for Sunday, the 17th. Among these was a second performance for the Vercelli Air-Show scheduled for 16 September at the Vercelli Airport.[2]
Incident
Around 16:30 on 16 September, the Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale took off from Caselle Airport heading towards Vercelli for their performance. After receiving clearance for takeoff on runway 36 from the control tower at Turin Airport, the 9 aircraft (one of the 10 aircraft usually part of the formation remained on the ground for unknown reasons) performed a "formation takeoff," divided into two sections of 4 and 5 aircraft, each spaced a few meters apart. A few seconds after takeoff, Pony 4, the left-wingman in the first section, suddenly lost altitude. Major Oscar del Do, at the controls of the MB-339, unable to regain control of the aircraft, steered the plane away from the houses, directing it to the left of the runway axis and ejecting just moments before the aircraft crashed into the ground within the airport perimeter, escaping uninjured. After the impact, the aircraft, engulfed in flames, continued its uncontrolled course, breaking through the airport fences and striking (either entirely or with debris) a passing car on the adjacent Provincial Road 16, which runs alongside the airport. Inside the car, which was engulfed in flames, was a family of four: father, mother, and two children aged 12 and 5. The 5-year-old girl died instantly, while the other occupants of the vehicle sustained minor injuries and burns and were transported to various hospitals in Turin. The pilot was also hospitalized as a precaution. The other 8 aircraft of the Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale experienced no issues, subsequently landing at Milan-Linate Airport.[3]
According to initial reconstructions, the accident was likely caused by a bird strike, which occurred immediately after the Acrobatics Team took off. The impact led to the MB-339's engine stalling, making it effectively uncontrollable during the critical phase of takeoff, leaving Del Do no choice but to steer away from the residential area before ejecting. It is not yet clear whether the car carrying the family was hit directly by the aircraft wreckage or by some burning debris, which then ignited the fire.[4][5][6][7]
As a result of the incident, all air shows that had planned to feature the Frecce Tricolori were canceled.[8]
Turin-Caselle Airport was closed to the public until midnight on 17 September, the day after the incident.[9] The Prosecutor of Ivrea opened an investigation to determine the dynamics of the incident.,[10] with the pilot of the aircraft being investigated as a formality.[11]
