Crash of a Fiat G.18 in Milan

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-ELIO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tirana – Milan
MSN:
1
YOM:
1936
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the twin engine aircraft crashed upon landing and came to rest, bursting into flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire. Operated on behalf of Nucleo Comunicazioni Avio Linee (NCA).

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.73P in Brindisi: 27 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM60513
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
5
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The three engine airplane was used by the Regia Aeronautica to transfer troops in the Mediterranean area. Shortly after takeoff from Brindisi, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. All 27 occupants, three crew members and 24 soldiers, were killed.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V in Valera: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1940
Operator:
Registration:
P4990
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harwell - Harwell
MSN:
1712
YOM:
1940
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Harwell to bomb the Sesto Calande aircraft factory. It is believed that it was shot down at Valera, near Varese. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Hugh Keith Parvin, pilot,
Sgt Harold Herbert George Howard, pilot,
Sgt Norman Reid Johnston, observer,
Sgt Hughie William Carter, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Joseph William Stephenson, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V in Milan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1940
Operator:
Registration:
N1497
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Abingdon - Abingdon
MSN:
1637
YOM:
1939
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Abingdon in the evening of August 15 to bomb an aircraft factory located in Milan, Italy. It is believed that it was shot down by the Italian Flak while approaching the target area and crash landed. The pilot was killed and four others became PoW.
Crew:
F/O Kenneth Hesketh Higson, pilot, †
Sgt D. W. Green,
Sgt Henry JohnDavis,
P/O Albert Ernest Victor Oliver,
Sgt A. Millington.
Probable cause:
Possibly shot down by the Italian Flak.

Crash of a Fiat BR.20 Cigogna in Cella: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM21408
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Cella, about 19 km southwest of Parma. All four crew members were killed.

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

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-SUTO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tripoli – Catania – Rome – Milan
MSN:
30024
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
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:
Operator:
Registration:
I-LEAL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Rhodes - Catania – Brindisi – Rome
MSN:
32031
YOM:
1939
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Fiat BR.20 Cigogna at San Damiano AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM21398
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at San Damiano AFB. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a CRDA CANT Z.501 Gabbiano in Tagliano: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While performing a night training exercice, the airplane crashed in hilly terrain located near Tagliano. All five crew members were killed.