Full Breakdown
France Agrees to Share Defence Files in Renewed Probe of 1980 Ustica Air Disaster
By Drooid · · How we work
Renewed Investigation Triggered by French Document Transfer
Italian prosecutors have asked a judge to withdraw a request to shelve the investigation into the crash of Itavia Flight 870, which fell into the sea off Ustica on June 27, 1980 killing all 81 people aboard. The change follows a statement from French authorities that they will transfer defence-ministry documents to Italy.
Historical Context and Prior Findings
The DC-9 was operating a Bologna-Palermo route when it broke up in clear weather. Early explanations cited mechanical failure, but later inquiries identified an aerial combat scenario. In 2013 the Court of Cassation ruled that a missile from an unknown source caused the disaster and ordered compensation for victims’ families. Four Italian air-force generals were tried for treason and evidence-withholding, but none were convicted. At least 15 military personnel linked to the case later died in accidents, shootings, or suicides, deepening suspicions of a cover-up.
Key Figures and Ongoing Theories
- Daria Bonfietti – former senator and head of the families’ association.
- Cora Ranci – historian who has written a book on the affair.
- Giuliano Amato – former prime minister who, in 2023, urged President Emmanuel Macron to clarify the allegation of a French missile.
- Francesco Lo Voi – Rome’s chief prosecutor, now seeking to keep the inquiry alive.
Two principal explanations dominate: a missile fired during a Cold-War dogfight—potentially involving French, U.S., or other NATO aircraft targeting a Libyan MiG—and a bomb placed on board, a theory championed by some far-right and Palestinian militant proponents.
Data Summary
Official Statements & Responses
Italian prosecutor Lo Voi emphasized that the documents cover a period extending into the 1990s and that France has expressed willingness to consider further requests.
Criticism & Opposition
Analyst Gregory Alegi argues that France’s decision to share information suggests the government “has nothing to fear,” casting doubt on the prospect of a breakthrough. Some commentators remain skeptical of the missile scenario, favoring the bomb theory despite its lack of judicial endorsement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Witness testimony disputes French claims that the carrier *Foch* was docked in Toulon on June 27; some say it was operating in the Tyrrhenian Sea, which would have allowed radar detection of the incident. French officials maintain the carrier was in Toulon, while other witnesses assert the opposite. Radar recordings from the Solenzara base in Corsica are also contested: French sources say the radar was shut off that night, whereas Italian investigators assert the base remained operational.
What’s Next
A hearing is scheduled for September 30 to examine the French cooperation and its impact on the investigation. Prosecutors intend to request specific data on the locations of French and U.S. carriers, radar logs from Solenzara, and any flight-plan records that could clarify which aircraft were present over the Tyrrhenian Sea on the night of the crash. The outcome will determine whether the newly available French files can finally resolve the long-standing mystery.