Two people were killed and two others injured when a plane crashed on a highway in Italy. The horrific incident in Brescia on Tuesday occurred after the pilot reportedly lost control of the small aircraft during an emergency landing. The pilot, 75-year-old Sergio Ravaglia, who is also an attorney, was killed in the fiery crash. The second deceased is identified as Ravaglia’s 60-year-old spouse, Ann Maria De Stefano, who was also aboard the plane.
Footage captured the Freccia RG ultralight aircraft, a lightweight, Italian-built plane made from carbon fibre, plunging nose-first onto the highway before erupting into flames. Two drivers, who happened to be near the crash site, suffered injuries from the explosion and the resulting debris. Video footage shows cars weaving around the burning wreck, some narrowly missing it.
Eyewitnesses say Ravaglia appeared to be attempting a last-minute emergency landing as the aircraft was losing speed mid-air, but the plane rapidly spiralled out of control. Smoke quickly enveloped the road, while vehicles scrambled to avoid the wreckage.
Despite the quick arrival of first responders, the aircraft was already destroyed by the time firefighters began battling the flames. When the emergency crew extinguished the flames, the aircraft was badly burned. Crews quickly worked to secure the scene and tend to the injured drivers.
Investigators from Italy’s National Agency for Flight Safety are now working alongside the Brescia prosecutor’s office to determine what went wrong. A manslaughter investigation has been opened, though no charges have been publicly announced. Officials are focusing on mechanical issues or possible lapses in the plane’s maintenance history.
As a precaution, a consultant from the flight safety agency is expected to review the crash site and the plane’s remains. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, but hope a preliminary assessment of the wreckage will offer answers in the coming days.
