January 26, 2004 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
Today, an Italian F-16 ADF crashed into the Mediterranean sea north of Sicily around 19.10h. The pilot managed to eject from the plane and was rescued.
AMI F-16A ADF #MM7265 from 37 stormo is coming in for landing at Decimomannu AB, Italy.
The F-16A, belonging to the 37 Stormo (Cesare Toschi) unit at Trapani-Birgi AB, was on a training exercise together with another F-16 who called in the emergency.
An HH3F Pelican SAR helicopter, which was in the neighbourhood, recovered the pilot. The pilot, Captain Giuseppe Morana, 33 years, of Palermo, was taken to the hospital but he is in good condition.
The cause of the crash, which took place some 15 kilometres (nine miles) northwest of Trapani is still uncertain but an engine failure is suspected.
