The 1980 crash of Itavia Flight 870 killed 81 people and remains one of Italy's most contested disasters, with unresolved accusations of military missile strike.
Key Facts
- Date of crash
- 27 June 1980, 20:59 CEST
- Aircraft type
- Douglas DC-9
- Route
- Bologna to Palermo, Italy
- Total fatalities
- 81 people
- Crash location
- Tyrrhenian Sea, between Ponza and Ustica
- Italian designation
- Strage di Ustica (Ustica massacre)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The exact cause remains disputed and unproven. Allegations include that the aircraft was struck by a missile during a dogfight between Libyan and French fighter jets over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Former Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga attributed the crash to a French missile, while former PM Giuliano Amato in 2023 suggested the plane was downed as part of a plan targeting Libyan leader Gaddafi's aircraft.
On 27 June 1980, Itavia Flight 870, a Douglas DC-9 carrying 81 occupants, disappeared from radar and crashed into the Tyrrhenian Sea between the islands of Ponza and Ustica at 20:59 CEST while flying from Bologna to Palermo. There were no survivors.
The disaster triggered numerous Italian judicial and parliamentary investigations spanning decades and generated persistent controversy over an alleged government cover-up. Legal proceedings and accusations involving military and political figures continued well into the 21st century, with the definitive cause of the crash never officially established.