Douglas DC-9 crash, Dec 23, 1978 (108 killed), Palermo-Pu...
Douglas DC-9 accident on December 23, 1978 near Palermo-Punta Raisi Sicily, Italy with 108 fatalities.
- Date: December 23, 1978
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-9
- Location: Palermo-Punta Raisi Sicily, Italy
- Fatalities: 108
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
Alitalia Flight 4128, a DC-9-32 (I-DIKQ) on a Christmas extra service from Rome-Fiumicino to Palermo, struck the sea about 3 km short of runway 21 at Palermo-Punta Raisi during a night VOR/DME approach. The aircraft was descending to about 150 feet when the copilot, acting as pilot in command, turned left to line up with the runway, and the left wing tip hit the water at about 150 knots. 108 of 129 people died. 21 survivors were rescued by fishing boats.