An Air Force aircraft crashed yesterday inside the Circeo National Park, in the municipality of Sabaudia, province of Latina. In the accident, Colonel Simone Mettini, squadron commander and highly experienced instructor pilot, and young cadet Lorenzo Nucheli lost their lives. According to the Air Force, the plane was on a training trip. The cause of the accident remains unknown. The news has been extremely upsetting. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic, expressed "deep dismay and sincere emotion" over the tragedy, sending a message of condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff, saying, "My feelings of closeness, solidarity, and deep sympathy go to the family and the Armed Forces." Colonel Simone Mettini, a significant member in the Italian Air Force, was a 48-year-old resident of Aprilia and originally from Forlì. Over a twenty-year career, he held prominent roles in Italy and abroad, distinguishing himself for his expertise and commitment. In addition to extensive operational knowledge, he oversaw financial planning and staff flying training. He graduated from the Federico II University of Naples with a degree in Political Sciences and chose a military career from a very young age. Since July 2024, he has overseen the 70th Wing, a vital hub for national and international pilot training. The Armed Forces described him as "a man of the institutions, with a profound sense of state, who leaves a void that will be difficult to fill".