Catania | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Some 30 minutes after takeoff from Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, the right engine caught fire, forcing the crew to return to Catania. After landing, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with two parked Junkers JU.88. Several explosions occurred and the SM.75C was destroyed by fire. Nevertheless, all 17 occupants evacuated safely and there were no injuries.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Martin 167 Maryland off Catania: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Martin 167 Maryland

Operator:

Registration:

AR707

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Luqa - Luqa

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The airplane departed RAF Luqa at 0700LT to proceed with a check of the fleet based at Taranto Airport. While approaching Catania at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Macchi M.C. 200 and crashed in the Mediterranea Sea off the Sicily coast. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt René Duvauchelle, pilot,
Sgt George Taylor, observer,
Sgt Jacques Méhouas, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Shot down by an Italian fighter.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.75 off Capri Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1940 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti SM.75

Operator:

Registration:

I-LIGO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Catania – Rome

MSN:

32035

YOM:

1939

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En route from Catania to Rome, the three engine aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a RAF fighter and crashed in the sea some 40 nautical miles southwest of Capri Island. All seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a RAF fighter.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.73 in Stromboli: 14 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti SM.73

Operator:

Registration:

I-SUTO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tripoli – Catania – Rome – Milan

MSN:

30024

YOM:

1937

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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.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.75C in Aiello Calabro: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1940 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti SM.75

Operator:

Registration:

I-LEAL

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Rhodes - Catania – Brindisi – Rome

MSN:

32031

YOM:

1939

Location:

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On the leg from Catania to Brindisi, while cruising in bad weather conditions, the pilot informed ATC he was encountering severe icing conditions. In fog and low overcast, the aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located in Aiello Calabro, southwest of Cosenza. All 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Angelo Negri, pilot,
Gaetano Montello, copilot,
Basile Valassiadis, copilot,
Dino Zoin, mechanic,
Pietro Clerici, flight engineer,
Guido Avon, steward.
Passengers:
Alfredo Dentice,
Guido Zacchetti,
Girolamo Casazza,
Eduardo Aleozer.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.