A dad and daughter died when their ultralight aircraft crashed into a rice field.
Emergency crews raced to the scene, but nothing could be done to save Massimiliano and Simona Monticone.
The pair had taken off from Casale Monferrato Airport, in Italy’s north-western Piedmont region, on Saturday (30 Aug).
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Local aeroclub president Giancarlo Panelli said: “It was a beautiful day and, as far as we know, the Monticone family were heading towards the mountains.
“The crash is thought to have happened on their way back.”
The plane came down in the countryside between Lamporo and Livorno Ferraris shortly after noon.
A case has been opened on possible charges of manslaughter or negligent air disaster, as reported by Need To Know.
Investigators are exploring all possibilities, including technical failure, human error, sudden illness, or an external factor.
They will also need to determine whether Massimiliano, 49, or Simona, 18, was at the controls.
Massimiliano, a former Air Force pilot, worked as a radar controller at Milan Linate Airport and taught safety and emergency courses at Casale Monferrato Airport’s flight academy.
Simona’s volleyball club, Virtus Alessandria Pallavolo, paid tribute: “Simona wasn’t just the libero of our First Division team – she was the kind of teammate everyone would want by their side. Always smiling, always ready to help, both on and off the court.
“That’s what will stay with us, and that was her greatest lesson: to play without ever giving up, but always with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes.”
Her headteacher, Roberto Grenna, added: “I didn’t know her personally, but I was told she was a hardworking and dedicated student.
“She was about to start her final year of language high school, class 5CL.
“I think of a girl who had her whole life ahead of her to change the world – and now she’s gone.”
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