February 11, 2010 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
An Italian AMI F-16A ADF (#MM7238) belonging to 5 Stormo at Cervia AB ditched into the Adriatic sea yesterday at 15.30h CET during a training mission.
AMI F-16A ADF #MM7238 from 23 gruppo crashed into the Adriatic Sea on February 11th.
The pilot, Maj. Luca Crovatti (37) from
23 gruppo "Veltro", successfully ejected and was rescued by a nearby fishing boat.
The mishap occurred in the Adriatic Sea, about 3 miles out of the coast between the cities Cervia and Ravenna.
The cause is still under investigation but it seems that just a few minutes after takeoff smoke filled the cabin and forced the pilot to head towards the open sea.
