The story of the private helicopter Agusta Westland 109 which disappeared from radar in the Apennines on the afternoon of Sunday 9 November ended tragically. On board the plane, returning from a trip to Venice, were Mario Paglicci, 77, a well-known goldsmith entrepreneur from Arezzo, and Fulvio Casini, 67, owner of Marta Immobiliare di Sinalunga (Siena). Both are experienced pilots, long-time friends, and aviation enthusiasts. The plane was identified on the morning of Monday 10 November in the impermeable forest area of Badia Tedalda, in the province of Arezzo, on the border between Tuscany and Marche, completely destroyed by fire. The operation to secure the wreck was completed today by the Alpine Fire and Rescue Service, while the retrieval of the remains, given the difficulty of access, is scheduled for Tuesday 11 November. The helicopter took off from the Serristori Flight Center in Castiglion Fiorentino (Arezzo), with the aim of repatriating the two businessmen. Based on initial information, the aircraft experienced engine failure so it could not complete the flight safely. Shortly before disappearing from radar, Paglicci apparently sent a message to his family, reporting the damage and signaling the seriousness of the situation. Weather conditions and the impermeable nature of the area made the search operation extremely complex, involving teams from the Alpine Rescue Service, Fire Brigade, Red Cross, Air Force, Guardia di Finanza and Carabinieri.
Reconstruction
The helicopter is located in Poggio dell’Appione, about a thousand meters above sea level, between the mountainous region of Badia Tedalda and not far from Lamoli, a hamlet of Borgo Pace, in the province of Pesaro Urbino.
The aircraft was found completely burned, with the fuselage disintegrating immediately after impact. The operation to secure the site required hours of hard work, with special teams deployed from above via helicopters and the use of drones to fly over the area and check the condition of the ground. Access to the site of the tragedy remains difficult, characterized by dense forest, steep slopes and thick vegetation, which makes recovery of bodies impossible. Born in Arezzo 77 years ago, Mario Paglicci is a historic figure in the Italian goldsmith craft. For more than half a century he led Gimet, a leading company in the international jewelery sector, which was founded in 1966 and developed into an entrepreneurial group of national and international importance. Paglicci was known not only for his entrepreneurial skills, but also for his passion for aviation, much like Fulvio Casini. Facing various illnesses over the years, he always maintained a positive spirit and fighting spirit. His niece, Alessandra, recalls with great emotion: «Uncle Mario disappeared with his dream: his beloved helicopter. He loves to fly higher and higher in life and work. He is the master of life. Now it is our moral duty to continue flying and dreaming with him.” Alessandra added that Paglicci had faced life with strength and optimism, leaving a final message to his family via video in which he smiled in the helicopter with his thumb raised: “He left us with a smile and optimism that only great entrepreneurs have.”
The passengers
Originally from Sinalunga, 67 years old, Fulvio Casini is the owner of Marta Immobiliare, active in the management of construction and real estate projects. He shared with Paglicci his passion for flying and a lasting friendship. Both were considered experienced and careful pilots, and the tragedy upset the local community. The victim’s family thanked the police and volunteers who worked tirelessly in the search. Paglicci’s children, Gianluca and Maria, his brother Giancarlo and his grandchildren Paolo, Silvia and Alessandra, wrote in a statement: «We thank all the police forces and volunteers for their efforts in the search and recovery of our relatives». The National Aviation Safety Administration (ANSV) has opened a technical investigation to clarify the cause of the crash. An investigation team was sent to the discovery site to collect data and findings useful for understanding the dynamics of the fall. At the same time, the Arezzo Prosecutor’s Office coordinated by public prosecutor Julia Maggiore and prosecutor Gianfederica Dito launched a criminal investigation into the incident. Investigators will examine the aircraft’s maintenance status, possible mechanical failures and whether there is any liability. The helicopter, which Paglicci bought in March 2025, is used for personal and professional trips. Authorities’ attention is now turning to understanding the exact nature of the engine failure reported by the pilot and its impact.
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