A T-260B training aircraft of the Italian Air Force crashed on the morning of October 1, 2025, in the Circeo National Park, near Sabaudia, about 70 km from Rome.
The aircraft belonged to the 70th Wing of Latina Air Base, the unit responsible for the initial training of Italian and foreign military pilots. The accident claimed the lives of Colonel Simone Mettini, commander of the unit and flight instructor, and trainee pilot Lorenzo Nucheli.
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According to the Ministry of Defense, the crash occurred during a routine training mission. Search and rescue teams, including Air Force and Fire Department helicopters, were deployed to the scene. The causes have not yet been clarified, and an investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the accident.
The T-260B is the military version of the SIAI-Marchetti SF.260, used for decades as a basic training aircraft. With its low-wing design, aerobatic capability, and tandem seating, it is considered essential in preparing cadets before moving on to more advanced trainers. Since 1960, the 70th Wing has played a key role in the selection of military pilots, being responsible for the first flights of thousands of Italian and allied aviators.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @ItalianAirForce | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
