Pilot Danilo Fachin killed in glider crash during Rieti competition

A 59-year-old glider pilot, Danilo Fachin, died following a crash during a gliding competition in Rieti, Italy. The accident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, during the Coppa Città di Rieti event.

The glider reportedly lost altitude and crashed in the La Torretta area, approximately one and a half kilometers from the Ciuffelli airport. Witnesses from the control tower reported seeing the aircraft perform a sharp turn before falling. Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical personnel, arrived at the scene but could not revive the pilot.

Fachin, originally from Vicenza and residing in Monfalcone, was a member of the Aero Club Avro di Rivoli Osoppo. Investigators are currently working to determine the exact cause of the crash, focusing on whether technical failures or other flight factors contributed to the loss of control.