Captain of the Frecce Tricolori dies in an accident with an ultralight, Alessio Ghersi was 34 years old.
The Air Force expressed condolences for the accident involving a civilian aircraft in which the two occupants lost their lives in the late afternoon yesterday, including the captain Alessio Ghersi, pilot in service with the 313th aerobatic training group “Frecce Tricolori”.
The accident took place around 18:30 yesterday, when some witnesses saw the aircraft crash wrapped in a cloud of smoke released after a flame or an explosion.
The aircraft, a Pioneer 300 registration I-8548, had taken off from Campoformido shortly before.
The area where the aircraft crashed is impervious and completely covered by vegetation, reachable only on foot.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Air Squad General Luca Goretti, on behalf of the entire armed force, “is clinging to his wife and their two children in this moment of deep pain”. The traditional event for the conclusion of the training period in view of the start of the aerobatic season, scheduled for May 34st at the Rivolto air base, will not take place. Captain Ghersi, XNUMX, originally from Domodossola, currently held the position of second Wingman right, Pony 5, within the formation of the Frecce Tricolori.
He had entered the Air Force in 2007 with the Ibis V course of the Air Force Academy. After flying school he was assigned to the fourth wing of Grosseto, where he obtained the qualification of combat-ready pilot on the Eurofighter aircraft, carrying out air defense activities both nationally and in NATO missions. Subsequently selected for the Frecce Tricolori, he would soon take part in his fifth acrobatic season with the national acrobatic team.
“Pony 5” entered the Air Force in 2007, leaves behind his wife and two children.