BRESCIA, Italy — A small ultralight plane crashed nose-first onto a highway in northern Italy on Tuesday, killing both people on board and injuring two drivers.
The Freccia RG aircraft, piloted by 75-year-old Milan lawyer Sergio Ravaglia, crashed while apparently attempting an emergency landing. His partner, 60-year-old Ann Maria De Stefano, also died in the crash. Dashcam footage from the scene shows the plane diving from the sky and slamming into the pavement, erupting into flames and thick black smoke.
Several vehicles were seen near the crash site as the wreck burned. Witnesses reported that the pilot seemed to lose speed during the attempted landing and lost control of the aircraft.
First responders arrived quickly but found the plane completely destroyed. Italy’s National Agency for Flight Safety has launched an investigation, and the Brescia prosecutor’s office has opened a manslaughter case to examine potential mechanical issues or maintenance problems.