On the morning of 16 March an M-346 aircraft crashed in the area above Monte Legnone, near Lecco in Northern Italy. Unfortunately, the rescue teams arriving at the site of the accident ascertained the death of one of the two pilots. Leonardo expresses its most heartfelt condolences.
As per its established practice, Leonardo has immediately activated an internal investigation committee.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
The second statement
Leonardo clarifies that, taking into account the current status of the relevant investigation, any theory on the possible causes is premature.
The aircraft involved in the accident was an M-346 flown by a crew of two made of a Leonardo test pilot and an outsourced instructor pilot. The aircraft took to the air from Leonardo’s Venegono Superiore site (Varese – Italy) at 11:00AM following the technical checks prior to flight authorization, completed shortly ahead of take-off and performed in full compliance with the inspection plan authorized by the relevant aviation authorities.
The flight plan included trials aimed at demonstrating specific capabilities which had already been tested during several flights already carried out in the past.
At 11:35AM, any contact with the aircraft was lost. Thanks to the prompt responsiveness of the rescue teams, the aircraft wreckage was identified nearby Colico (Monte Legnone), between Como and Lecco in the Northern Italy. Leonardo’s Top Management express their most heartfelt condolences for the loss of the pilot. His name was Dave Ashley, a married 49-year-old father of two children. Deepest sympathies are with his family.