Death of Vincenzo Criscuolo in Vercelli
Date of the event:
On the afternoon of 8 November 2026, in via Lamporo near the Vercelli flying field, skydiver Vincenzo Criscuolo dies following an accident during a parachute jump. According to reports the man was 35 or 36 years old depending on the account, originally from Campania and living in Milan for work, though also known in Vercelli, where for about a year he had attended the Vzone Skyline skydiving school based at the local airport [1][2].
How the accident happened
Criscuolo had jumped from a Pilatus Porter, a ten-seat aircraft used by the flying school for jump activities. His parachute reportedly opened only partially: some witnesses said they saw the man spinning in the final metres before hitting the ground [1][2]. The alarm was raised at 2.30pm and emergency medical staff from Vercelli, the fire brigade and the police responded, but nothing could be done for the 35-year-old [1]. The impact occurred on farmland at the corner of via Lamporo and via Canton Biliemme, an area described as "off the drop zone" since skydivers are normally expected to land on the airport's runway [1].
The investigation
The Vercelli public prosecutor's office (Procura), under chief prosecutor Ilaria Calò, has opened an investigation for manslaughter, at this stage against unknown persons, to establish the causes of the accident and any responsibility [2]. The equipment used by the victim was seized by the local police, while it was not considered necessary to seize the Pilatus Porter from which Criscuolo had jumped together with other enthusiasts [2]. Prosecutors are preparing to appoint a technical consultant to analyse how the parachute functioned [2].
Sources
- Quotidiano Piemontese — 9 November 2026
- CronacaQui Torino — 9 November 2026