Overview
- The ultralight Robinson helicopter went down inside the Aeroclub Benevento field at contrada Olivola and caught fire.
- Pasquale Esposito, 76, was pronounced dead, and pilot Venanzio Rapolla, 68, was taken to San Pio hospital in very critical condition.
- Rapolla is an experienced former Air Force colonel, the Aeroclub’s president, and a flight instructor.
- Firefighters, 118 emergency medics, police units, and prosecutor Gianfranco Scarfò with deputy Flavia Felaco conducted on-site response and initial inspections.
- Authorities say a technical failure is the leading hypothesis for the crash, though the cause has not been formally determined.