The dramatic moment when a low-flying gyroplane crashes into the sea near horrified bathers and swimmers on the beach. Authorities say it was “only by chance that it did not turn into a tragedy.”

An autogyroplane was seen flying low over a beach in Italy before crashing into the sea in front of horrified bathers.

The two-seater plane was spotted flying dangerously close to the ground off the coast of Marina di Minturno in the Italian province of Latina on Thursday.

A video of the terrifying experience showed the gyroplane approaching the water near a crowded beach.

Seconds later he was seen crashing into the ocean and falling to the ground amid a fierce splash.

The pilot miraculously escaped the accident unharmed, although Italian politician Francesco Emilio Borrelli warned that “it was only by chance that it did not become a tragedy.”

The deputy for Alleanza Verdi Sinistra said: ‘It is necessary to report on the incident that occurred in Marina di Minturno because it was only by chance that it did not become a tragedy.

‘I have asked for clarification of the reasons for the sudden landing of the plane, whether it was due to a mechanical failure or a pilot error, and whether it is normal for flights to take place at such a low altitude so close to such crowded places as seaside resorts.’

He added that autogyros and paragliders have become a “constant” sight in Minturno, “especially at low altitude and over the heads of bathers.”

The politician also called for “strict controls… on the safety of those who operate them and of the people accommodated on board, with precise controls on what is provided for in the flight codes and the possession of what is necessary by the pilots.”