Incident Overview
Date: Friday 5 May 1972
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-8-43
Owner/operator: Alitalia
Registration Number: I-DIWB
Location: 5 km SW of Palermo –
ÿ Italy
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 115 / Occupants: 115
Component Affected: Aircraft Control SystemAircraft Control System
Category: Accident
A night-time approach to Palermo was marred by a significant error in flight control. The aircraft, Antonio Pigafetta, entered a broken cloud layer at 2000 feet, significantly below the mountain?s top. Despite established procedures, the crew deviated from them, leading to a crash landing at a lower altitude. The visibility was reduced to 3 miles.A night-time approach to Palermo was marred by a significant error in flight control. The aircraft, Antonio Pigafetta, entered a broken cloud layer at 2000 feet, significantly below the mountain?s top. Despite established procedures, the crew deviated from them, leading to a crash landing at a lower altitude. The visibility was reduced to 3 miles.
Description
Crashed into Mount Longa at an altitude of 2000 feet (300 feet below the top) while on a night-time approach to Palermo. Weather at the time of the accident included broken cloud layer of 3/8 cumulus at 1500 feet and a visibility of 3 miles. The crew did not adhere to the established approach procedures. The aircraft was named “Antonio Pigafetta”.
Source of Information
http://www.montagnalonga.it/http://www.montagnalonga.it/Primary Cause
Deviation from established approach procedures and potentially a lack of situational awareness due to the broken cloud layer.Deviation from established approach procedures and potentially a lack of situational awareness due to the broken cloud layer.Share on:
