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Conditions in central tank No. 7 and tanks Nos. 5 and 6 had remained the same.

An inspection of the plane's refueling records showed that:

[1]

[2}

[3]

[h]

The non-usable reeldual quantity of gasollne in tanks 5 and 6 had been in the tanks for about 10 hours;

The realdual quantity of gasoline (22 usable and ll non- usable gallons) in tank No. 7 had been 1n the tank for about 30 hours;

Under these conditions, tanks Nos. 5, 6 and 7, at the time of the crash, contained gasoline vapors 15811ng from the reeldual fuel;

The 1gn1ting of those vapors in tank No. 7, whatever its cause, resulted 1n the explosion of tank No. 7, and that in turn "1mmed1ately" either produced an excess of pressme or another explosmn in tank No. 6 (see par. lh.O, point c).

1h.2 Characteristics of the crash From the concurrence of all the inquiries made, it emerges that: (1) Weather conditions 111 the area at the time of the crash

(2)

(3)

(h)

(5)

(6)

(7)

were very unfavorable, mth contlnuous electrical discharges and strong turbulence, as 15 conflrmed also by the fact that the [bodies of the] passengers and the crew were found, in the wreckage of the fuselage, mth their safety belts fastened;

At h:32 p.m. the plane was leanng Saronno NDB at an altitude of 10.000 ft., climbing in the direction of Blella NDB;

At hz32'h0" p.m. the plane, en route toward Blella NDB at an altitude above 10,000 ft., was 12'20" flying time away from Biella NDB;

At h:33' p.171. the plane sent out its last radio Signal to Mllan Regional Control;

At the time of the crash the plane, in all probab1llty, was flying withln the configuration and speed set forth 1n the operational procedure, on the prescribed route.

In fllght, at between h:33' and 14:35' pm. (see pomts h above and 8 below), an explosion occurred 1n tank No. 7, and this eXplosion spread to tank No. 6 (see par. 11M),

pelnt c);

No emergency call was sent out by the plane's crew;