An Aermacchi MB-339 jet from the renowned Italian Air Force acrobatic display team, Frecce Tricolori Aermacch, crashed and killed a 5-year-old girl.
The aircraft was flying in formation on Saturday, September 16, 2023, while practicing for the 100-year celebrations of the Italian Air Force when the jet appeared to lose altitude.
The young girl was travelling in a car along a country road with her parents and nine-year-old brother when the vehicle was engulfed in flames from the exploding aircraft.
The brother is being treated for severe burns at the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Turin. It is also understood the parents of the children also suffered burn injuries.
A video of the incident was captured by a bystander which shows the pilot, named Captain Oscar Del Do, ejecting from the aircraft and his parachute open. The fire brigade confirmed he is also being treated in hospital.
There is speculation that a bird strike may have occurred shortly after the squadron took off from Turin Airport (TRN). The crash happened inside the airport perimeter.
Following the crash, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: “I am shocked by what happened today in the Caselle flying club in Turin during an exercise by the Frecce Tricolori. The death of little Laura Origliasso, following the terrible crash of one of the aircraft of the National Acrobatic Team, saddens me deeply and leaves me speechless.
The Prime Minister added: “On behalf of myself and the entire Government, I express my closeness and condolences to the family of the deceased girl and I extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery to her parents and little brother who were injured in this tragedy.”
Aermacchi MB-339PAN of the Frecce Tricolori display team crashed on Saturday during a practice run outside the northern city of Turin, killing a child on the ground. pic.twitter.com/epQ8hnwEQv
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) September 17, 2023