A microlight plane crash in the countryside near Vercelli, Italy, claimed the lives of a father and his 18-year-old daughter. The aircraft went down Saturday between the towns of Lamporo and Livorno Ferraris, landing in a rice field just meters from the Cavour Canal.
Emergency responders confirmed the pilot’s death shortly after arriving at the scene. Firefighters later recovered a second body from the wreckage. Authorities said the aircraft likely caught fire upon impact, leaving no chance for survival.
Victims identified as local aviation enthusiasts
The victims were identified as 49-year-old Massimiliano Monticone and his daughter Simona. The two had departed from Casale Monferrato earlier in the day. Monticone, a former Italian Air Force pilot, was employed as a radar operator for ENAV at Milan’s Linate Airport. He lived in the province of Alessandria and shared a long-standing passion for aviation with his children.
Fire crews from Livorno Ferraris worked to extinguish the flames and secure the crash site. Officers from the Carabinieri stations in Livorno Ferraris and Crescentino were also present to assist with the investigation and maintain public safety.
Crash cause still under investigation
Monticone had built a career in aviation following his military service. He attended the Italian Air Force’s 105th AUC course and later transitioned into civil aviation roles. According to officials, he often flew recreationally with his children, including Simona and an older son.
The cause of the microlight plane crash near Vercelli remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether technical failure, weather conditions, or pilot error played a role in the accident.
