Two Italian Air Force pilots die in a mid-air collision with one of the planes crashing into a town below before exploding in a ball of fire
- The two planes crashed near the town of Guidonia, some 20 miles from Rome
- One of the pilots survived the initial crash, but was killed in the subsequent explosion
Two Italian Air Force pilots were killed today in a mid-air collision with one of the planes which crashed into the city below before exploding in a ball of fire.
The two pilots were aboard the U-208 training aircraft and were participating in a training mission near Guidonia, according to an Air Force press release.
The cause of the collision about 20 miles northwest of Rome was not immediately known, but Italian authorities have launched an investigation.
One of the two planes crashed into a parked car in a street below in front of what appeared to be a residential building on footage from the aftermath of the crash.
La Repubblica reported that the pilot was still alive after the plane crashed and began screaming for help. Bystanders tried to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher, but the engine exploded before they could, the newspaper reports.
Two Italian Air Force planes collided in mid-air on Tuesday, killing both pilots during exercises northwest of Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. In the photo: A burning car and one of the plane wrecks are seen in the town of Guidonia
According to an Air Force press release, the two pilots were aboard the U-208 training aircraft and were participating in a training mission near Guidonia. Pictured: The second of the two wrecks can be seen in the middle of a field near the town
The second landed in an open field, photos of the crash site showed.
Two buildings were evacuated as a result of the crash and the two areas were cordoned off by rescuers checking to see if any other passersby were on the street or field at the time of the two crashes.
Photos and videos emerged from both crash sites. Footage from the first crash site on the street showed a burning car and firefighters working to put it out.
In a second clip, white foam — used by firefighters to extinguish flames — covered the road and sidewalks. The car was still burning and smoke rose into the air.
Footage from the field where the second plane crashed showed a wreck lying in the middle of a grass field. The tail of the plane was still discernible, but the rest of the plane lay on the ground like a mutilated wreckage.
“We are devastated to hear of the death of two Air Force pilots in a training accident near Guidonia,” Meloni said. The Prime Minister sent her condolences to the families of the pilots and to members of the Air Force.
“I extend my deepest condolences and my deepest condolences to the families, colleagues of the 60th Wing and the entire Air Force. Our prayers go out to them,” she said.
The two pilots were named as Lieutenant Colonel Giuseppe Cipriano, 47, and Major Marco Meneghello, 46. Both were stationed at Guidonia Air Base.
Police at the scene where one of the planes crashed into a street told local reporters that the Tivoli prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the crash.
The Air Force Inspectorate has also ordered an investigation.
One of the two planes crashed into a parked car on a street below in front of what appeared to be a residential building in aftermath footage (pictured). Bystanders heard him scream for help before the plane’s engine exploded, killing him
Photos and videos emerged from both crash sites. Footage from the first crash site on the street showed a burning car and firefighters working to put it out
Footage from the field where the second plane crashed showed a wreck lying in the middle of a grass field. The tail of the plane was still discernible, but the rest of the plane lay on the ground like a mutilated wreckage. In the photo: firefighters are on site on Tuesday
Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera said four propeller planes had taken off from Guidonia military airport for a training flight in the nearby countryside.
It has yet to be clarified why they were above the city.
The two pilots of the other two aircraft will be questioned later today.
The U-208 is a lightweight, single-engine aircraft that can carry up to four passengers, plus the pilot, and has a top speed of 177 mph.
