Linee Aeree Italiane - LAI

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft, I-LINC, took off from Ciampino-Airport, Rome, at 1508Z on a VFR flight plan from Ciampino to Elba and an IFR plan from Elba to Milan-Malpensa along airways A3 and A9, which involve flight over the Elba, Genoa and Lombardia beacons. The cruising altitude was 10,500 feet. At 1520Z the flight plan was changed from VFR to IFR. The radio communications exchanged between the aircraft and Rome and Milan area controls were normal until approximately 1702Z when the aircraft confirmed that it was maintaining altitude 9,500 feet as instructed by Milan ACC. After 1714Z, attempts by Milan control to contact I-LINC were unsuccessful. The aircraft crashed at approximately 1720Z on the northern slopes of Monte Giner. All 4 crew members and 17 passengers were killed instantly.

Douglas DC-6

After liftoff from runway 26 at Paris-Orly Airport, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, hit successively two houses, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion about 600 meters past the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and debris were scattered for about 200 meters. A passenger was seriously injured while all 34 other occupants, among them the Italian Director Guido Cantelli, were killed.

Douglas DC-6

After an uneventful instrument flight involving no Air Route Traffic Control routing and control, Flight 451 reported at 1122 to the Idlewild Approach Control as being aver the Mitchell Radio Range Station at 7,000 feet. The flight was then cleared to enter the Scotland holding pattern (located approximately 13 nautical miles southwest of the airport) and was subsequently "laddered down" to the number one position to approach. Between 1147 and 1159 weather conditions deteriorated below the ceiling minimum of 400 feet for landing on runway 22, the runway then in use. The flight continued to hold. At 1159 reported weather conditions improved and I-LINE was cleared for an approach to runway 22 using the back course of the ILS (Instrument Landing System). At 1218 the flight reported it had discontinued this approach. It was then issued missed-approach instructions and returned to the Scotland holding pattern. Shortly thereafter weather conditions were again reported below minimums for runway 22. They were then reported as: Ceiling 300 feet, broken, 2,500 feet, overcast; visibility 2-1/2 miles, light rain and fog; wind south-southeast 20 knots. While holding, the flight was asked by Approach Control if it would be able to make an approach to runway 4, the ILS runway, considering the tailwind component. The flight accepted runway 4 and was cleared at 1307 for an ILS approach. At 1313 the tower was advised by 451 that the approach had been missed. The flight was next offered, and it accepted, a GCA (Ground Controlled Approach). This approach was abandoned at 1324, a missed-approach procedure was followed, and the flight returned to Scotland. At 1327 the Italian Airlines Station Manager, in a message relayed by the tower, asked the flight its remaining fuel, and received the reply that there was three hours of holding fuel. The Station Manager then suggested that the flight hold for 1-1/2 hours and if unable to land to proceed to Washington, D. C. At 1329 the flight acknowledged this message. At 1349 the flight was again cleared for an ILS approach, the third approach to runway 4 and its fourth to the airport. At approximately 1400 the aircraft struck the left pier. The impact was accompanied by a violent explosion and followed by an intense fire. Tower personnel immediately sounded the crash alarm and initiated emergency procedures. At the time of the accident weather conditions were reported as: Ceiling 200 overcast; visibility 2-1/2 miles, light rain and fog; wind south-southeast 16 knots. Italian Airlines' minimums for ILS approaches to runway 4 are ceiling 200 feet and visibility 1/2 mile. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 crew members and 16 passengers were killed, six others were injured.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Juts after liftoff, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure and crash landed on the runway. All four crew members who were involved in a local training mission were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Few minutes after its takeoff from Cagliari-Elmas Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed on the Mt Sinnai located 15 km northwest of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 19 occupants were killed.

Douglas DC-6

The crew started the approach to Milan-Malpensa in low visibility due to foggy conditions. About eight km from the runway threshold, while flying at an insufficient height, the aircraft hit the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames in a field, broken in three. All 48 occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and three passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

During the takeoff run, the pilot-in-command decided to abandon the departure for unknown reason and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Savoia-Marchetti SM.95

The four engine aircraft christened 'Ugolino Vivaldi' left Paris-Le Bourget Airport at 1016LT Bound for Rome-Ciampino. At 1436LT, the crew informed ground about his position at an altitude of 6,500 feet north of Civitavecchia. While descending to Ciampino, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulence. The aircraft was hit by lightning, dove into the ground and crashed near a railway road located 8 km north of Civitavecchia, about 75 km north of Ciampino Airport. A crew member and two passengers were seriously injured while 14 other occupants were killed.