Tripoli – Catania – Rome – Milan
Flight / Schedule
Tripoli – Catania – Rome – Milan
Aircraft
Savoia-Marchetti SM.73Registration
I-SUTO
MSN
30024
Year of Manufacture
1937
Operator
Ala LittoriaDate
March 16, 1940 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Stromboli Sicily
Region
Europe • Italy
Coordinates
38.7930°, 15.2109°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On March 16, 1940 at 12:00 AM, Tripoli – Catania – Rome – Milan experienced a crash involving Savoia-Marchetti SM.73, operated by Ala Littoria, with the event recorded near Stromboli Sicily.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.
14 people were known to be on board, 14 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 10, passenger fatalities: 10, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. While overflying the Tyrrhenian sea by night on a night flight from Catania to Rome, the crew was unaware that his altitude was insufficient and did not sea the volcano Stromboli. The three engine aircraft hit the south slope of the Stromboli volcano and was totally destroyed. First rescuers arrived on the scene the next morning and all 14 occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration I-SUTO, MSN 30024, year of manufacture 1937.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 38.7930°, 15.2109°.
Fatalities
Total
14
Crew
4
Passengers
10
Other
0
Crash Summary
While overflying the Tyrrhenian sea by night on a night flight from Catania to Rome, the crew was unaware that his altitude was insufficient and did not sea the volcano Stromboli. The three engine aircraft hit the south slope of the Stromboli volcano and was totally destroyed. First rescuers arrived on the scene the next morning and all 14 occupants were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
10
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 14
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Tripoli – Catania – Rome – Milan
Operator
Ala LittoriaFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
Europe • Italy
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal Air Force - RAF
Handley Page H.P.12
The aircraft departed London on a flight to Cairo, carrying four crew members. In Paris, one passenger, Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence (awa Lawrence of Arabia) embarked to fly to Cairo after taking part to the 1919 Peace Conference in Paris. While approaching Rome-Centocelle Airport at dusk, the pilot encountered limited visibility and attempted a go-around procedure when the aircraft clipped a tree and crashed upside down. Both pilots were killed and three other occupants were injured. Crew: 2nd Lt Frederick George Prince, pilot, † 2nd Lt Sydney Spratt, pilot, † Aircraftman F. J. Daw +1. Passenger: Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence.
De Havilland Aeroplane Hire Service
De Havilland DH.9
Shortly after takeoff from Venice Airport, while climbing, the aircraft named 'Atlanta' crashed in the sea and sank. All four occupants were killed.
Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Aérienne - CIDNA
Caudron C.59
The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance flight to find new routes to Far East. While approaching the Italian coast following an uneventful flight from Tehran, he encountered technical problems and was forced to ditch the aircraft in the Bay of Naples. Both pilots evacuated safely and were later rescued by the crew of a Danish ship while the aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: Maurice Noguès, Chief Pilot August Morin, mechanic.
Air Union France
Lioré-et-Olivier LeO H-196
On the leg from Ajaccio to Tunis, while flying over the Mediterranean Sea, the crew encountered engine problems and ditched the aircraft off Ustica Island, north of Palermo. The crew was rescued three days later and the aircraft was recovered but considered as written off. Crew: Jean Ponce, pilot, Mr. Maillard, mechanic.
Società Italiana Servizi Aerei - SISA
CANT 10
Crashed in sea in unknown circumstances.
Imperial Airways
Short S.8 Calcutta
Named 'City of Rome', the seaplane was performing an flight from Naples to Genoa, carrying five passengers and two crew members. While cruising along the Italian coast in poor weather conditions, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and elected to ditch the airplane in the sea, some 15 km off La Spezia. Upon landing, the airplane hit high waves and overturned, killing all seven occupants. While being towed by authorities, the aircraft sank and was lost.
