Following the accident late this morning, the following have lost their lives: Lieutenant Colonel Cipriano Giuseppe and Major Meneghello Marco, both serving at 60° Wing of the Italian Air Force, based in Guidonia (RM).
The news was communicated to the families of the two Officers, to whom the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti, on behalf of the entire Armed Force, expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences.
The collision between the two aircraft occurred a few kilometres from the Guidonia military airport, as part of a pre-planned training mission. On-site, along with firefighters and law enforcement, rescue teams and specialists from the Air Force immediately intervened and are continuing to operate to secure and cordon off the impact areas.
The dynamics of the incident are being ascertained. The Armed Forces will initiate a flight safety investigation into the incident in the coming hours.
It Lieutenant Colonel Giuseppe Cipriano, Born in Taranto on 5 February 1975, he joined the Air Force in 1996 with the 117th intake of Officer Cadets. At the 60th Wing in Guidonia he was a flight instructor pilot on the U208A, G103 Glider and MB339-CD aircraft. He had 6000 flying hours to his name, including operations outside national borders.
It Major Marco Meneghello, born in Legnago (VR) on 18 August 1977, he joined the Italian Air Force in 1999 with the 119th course for Reserve Officer Pilots. At the 60th Wing of Guidonia, he was a flight instructor on the following aircraft: U208A, G103 Glider. He had accumulated 2600 flight hours, including those performed on operations outside national borders.
