Douglas DC-8 crash, May 5, 1972 (115 killed), Palermo-Pun...
Douglas DC-8 accident on May 5, 1972 near Palermo-Punta Raisi Sicily, Italy with 115 fatalities. Cause: Human error by the flight crew, who did not...
- Date: May 5, 1972
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-8
- Location: Palermo-Punta Raisi Sicily, Italy
- Fatalities: 115
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Human error by the flight crew, who did not follow the air traffic control approach guidance and descended too low at night in limited visibility
An Alitalia airliner on a scheduled flight from Rome Fiumicino struck Mount Longa south of Palermo Punta Raisi while approaching the airport at night on 5 May 1972. The aircraft disintegrated just below the summit. All 115 people on board were killed, and an alternative theory of an onboard explosion has never been officially accepted.