Air Crash Investigation

A team of specialists is examining the cause of the explosion that brought down Itavia Flight 870. The aircraft fell into the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast between Ponza and Ustica, in June 1980. The inquiry seeks to determine whether mechanical failure, external attack or other factors were responsible.

Massacre Over the Mediterranean is a television episode presented as part of a programme series. It falls under the episode genre and offers a factual account of a historic aviation incident. The format is straightforward, focusing on a specific event rather than fictional storytelling. The core of the episode follows a group of specialists who set out to determine why Itavia Flight 870 suffered a catastrophic explosion. These experts bring their knowledge to bear on the mystery, examining the circumstances that led to the aircraft’s sudden loss of control and eventual crash. The flight in question went down in the Tyrrhenian Sea, lying between the islands of Ponza and Ustica, during June 1980. That particular stretch of water became the final resting place of the aircraft, and the episode repeatedly references this geographic setting to anchor its investigation. Throughout the broadcast, the investigators weigh the evidence, discuss possible triggers for the blast and consider the broader context of the disaster. By reviewing the data and testimonies available, they aim to piece together a clearer picture of what caused the explosion that sent Itavia Flight 870 to the sea.