U.S., Italy Agree on Low-Altitude Flight Limits
Further limits are being placed on low-altitude U.S. military test flights over Italy after a high-level review of the ski gondola accident that killed 20 people more than a year ago.
The procedure approved by Defense Secretary William S. Cohen and Italian Defense Minister Carlo Scognamiglio requires approval of a newly designated U.S. official and an Italian base commander for all such flights. It also limits flights lower than 2,000 feet to 25% of training sorties from Aviano Air Base in Italy. Special approval will be required for low-altitude flights from aircraft carriers or from units not permanently based in Italy.
A Marine EA-6B Prowler jet on a low-altitude training mission from Aviano severed a ski gondola cable near Cavalese on Feb. 3, 1998.
The report assigns U.S. responsibility for the accident and asserts Italian sovereignty over its territory, airspace and waters. It also agrees with the Marine Corps that the accident was caused by air crew errors and supervisory errors within the chain of command.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
