Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Italian Itavia DC-9-15 I-TIGI travels near Ustica on a Friday. The flight establishes the immediate setting for the disaster.

Friday Flight — The Ustica disaster begins on a Friday. Location: Italy
Itavia DC-9 — An Italian Itavia DC-9-15 identified as I-TIGI is in flight. Location: Airspace near Ustica
Passenger Flight — The aircraft operated a passenger flight for the Italian airline Itavia. Location: Airspace near Ustica
Near Ustica Island — The aircraft is located near the island of Ustica. Location: Near Ustica Island
Midair Explosion — The DC-9 explodes while airborne. Location: Airspace near Ustica
Aircraft Disappears — The aircraft plunges into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Location: Tyrrhenian Sea

The aircraft explodes in midair and sinks into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The disaster leaves no survivors among the 81 victims.

Aircraft Disappears — The aircraft plunges into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Location: Tyrrhenian Sea
Tyrrhenian Sea — The wreckage sinks to depth in the sea. Location: Tyrrhenian Sea
No Survivors — The disaster leaves no survivors. Location: Tyrrhenian Sea
Eighty-One Victims — The crash claims 81 victims. Location: Tyrrhenian Sea
Daughter Among Victims — Roberta bellodi's daughter is identified among the victims. Characters: Roberta bellodi Location: Ustica disaster aftermath
Journalist's Loss — The crash becomes a personal tragedy for journalist Roberta bellodi. Characters: Roberta bellodi Location: Ustica disaster aftermath

Roberta bellodi learns that her daughter is among the victims. Her personal tragedy helps propel the search for an explanation.

Daughter Among Victims — Roberta bellodi's daughter is identified among the victims. Characters: Roberta bellodi Location: Ustica disaster aftermath
Journalist's Loss — The crash becomes a personal tragedy for journalist Roberta bellodi. Characters: Roberta bellodi Location: Ustica disaster aftermath
Demand For Truth — Roberta's personal loss drives the demand to clarify the accident. Characters: Roberta bellodi Location: Ustica disaster aftermath
Inquiry Proposed — A parliamentary commission of inquiry is established. Location: Parliament
Commission Investigates — The commission begins investigating the Ustica crash. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Parliament

A parliamentary commission is formed to investigate the crash. Corrado di Acquaformosa serves as one of its members.

Inquiry Proposed — A parliamentary commission of inquiry is established. Location: Parliament
Commission Investigates — The commission begins investigating the Ustica crash. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Parliament
Corrado Joins Inquiry — Corrado di Acquaformosa is named as a member of the commission. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Parliament
Pilot's Suspicion — Corrado's pilot wife believes she understands how the catastrophe occurred. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Private setting
Theory Presented — The pilot's interpretation challenges the unexplained account of the disaster. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Private setting

A pilot's interpretation offers a possible explanation for the catastrophe. Corrado is urged to pursue the truth through the inquiry.

Pilot's Suspicion — Corrado's pilot wife believes she understands how the catastrophe occurred. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Private setting
Theory Presented — The pilot's interpretation challenges the unexplained account of the disaster. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Private setting
Pressure On Corrado — Corrado is urged to pursue the truth behind the crash. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa Location: Private setting
Search For Truth — The official inquiry becomes focused on uncovering the truth. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa, Roberta bellodi Location: Parliamentary inquiry
Unresolved Disaster — The crash remains the central mystery confronting the inquiry. Characters: Corrado di Acquaformosa, Roberta bellodi Location: Parliamentary inquiry

Story Breakdown

The Fatal Flight — The Itavia aircraft travels near Ustica before the catastrophe.
- Friday Departure — The disaster occurs on a Friday during the aircraft's flight.
- Ustica Airspace — The aircraft is flying near the island of Ustica.
The Midair Explosion — The aircraft explodes in flight and falls into the sea.
- Aircraft Explodes — The DC-9-15 I-TIGI explodes while airborne.
- Wreckage Sinks — The aircraft sinks into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The Human Cost — The disaster produces a total loss of life and a deeply personal tragedy.
- No Survivors — The crash leaves no survivors.
- Eighty-One Victims — The number of victims is given as 81.
Roberta's Tragedy — Roberta bellodi's family loss connects the national disaster to individual grief.
- Daughter Lost — Roberta bellodi's daughter is among the victims.
- Journalist's Catalyst — Her personal tragedy helps motivate the investigation.
Parliamentary Inquiry — The crash leads to the creation of an official investigative body.
- Commission Formed — A parliamentary commission of inquiry is established.
- Corrado Appointed — Corrado di Acquaformosa becomes a commission member.
The Truth Question — A possible explanation encourages Corrado to pursue the circumstances of the disaster.
- Pilot's Theory — A pilot believes she understands how the catastrophe occurred.
- Search For Truth — Corrado is urged to investigate the disaster's real cause.