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Global defence and aerospace company Leonardo is investigating the cause of a fatal accident involving a M-346 Master jet.
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Leonardo has confirmed the death of one of two pilots operating a Aermacchi M-346 Master, which crashed on the morning of Wednesday, 16 March.
A Leonardo test pilot and an external pilot instructor evacuated the aircraft, parachuting out in the area above Monte Legnone, near Lecco in Northern Italy.
A rescue team reported the death after arriving at the scene.
“Leonardo expresses its most heartfelt condolences.,” the company noted in a statement.
The aircraft left Leonardo’s Venegono Superiore site at 11:00am local time after conducting checks.
According to the company, the technical checks performed were in full compliance with the inspection plan authorised by the relevant aviation authorities.
The flight aimed at demonstrating specific aircraft capabilities, which had reportedly been tested during previous flights.
Leonardo lost contact with the aircraft at approximately 11:35am, before rescue teams identified the aircraft wreckage was near Colico (Monte Legnone), between Como and Lecco in Northern Italy
The company has now launched an active internal investigation into the cause of the accident, stressing that any theory on the possible causes is “premature”.
[Related: Australia takes legal action against Russia over MH17 crash]
