Unusual accident at Milan airport, Fiat Panda collides with private jet
MILAN – An unusual accident was recorded on the morning of Monday, August 10, at Milan-Linate airport, where a Fiat Panda service vehicle collided with a private plane that was moving in the general aviation area.
The incident occurred at around 11:20 a.m. and, fortunately, there were no injuries. However, the accident caused a temporary disruption to air operations and the diversion of two flights.
The white Fiat Panda, owned by a company that provides airport services, was driven by a 54-year-old employee. The woman was assisted by medical teams as she was in a state of severe agitation, but had not suffered any physical injuries.
The people on the private plane also escaped unharmed.
The aircraft involved in the incident is a Hawker Beechcraft 400A, registration I-AERB, which at that moment was moving towards the runway to prepare for takeoff.
Footage posted on social media shows the service vehicle entering the trajectory of the plane, which then hits the right side of the car with its front end.
The causes of the accident have not yet been clarified. Authorities are investigating several leads, including the possibility of distraction, a mistake during maneuvering, or a sudden health problem of the driver.
Following the incident, air traffic at Linate was suspended for around 30 to 40 minutes, in order for emergency teams to intervene and secure the area.
Two planes arriving in Milan were temporarily diverted, one to Orio al Serio airport in Bergamo and the other to Milan Malpensa.
Operations at the airport returned to normal after a short time.
According to preliminary data, the private plane did not suffer any serious damage. The impact mainly affected the radome, the front part of the plane where the radar system is located.
Video of the accident has been widely shared on social media, while investigations continue to determine why the service vehicle entered the plane’s path and whether safety procedures in the airport area were respected. /noa.al