Suicide Ruled Out In Italy Crash

The Milan prosecutor investigating why a small private plane slammed into the city's tallest building ruled out suicide on Wednesday, Italian news reports said.

The April 18 crash killed the pilot and two women who worked in the Pirelli building. According to an autopsy, pilot Luigi Fasulo, 67, died from the impact.

The spectacular crash, with its eerie echo of Sept. 11, grabbed headlines worldwide.

Authorities quickly ruled out terrorism, saying from the outset that they believed it was suicide or a technical problem. On Wednesday, prosecutor Bruna Albertini said suicide had now been ruled out.

"Evidence gathered so far leads us to rule out a voluntary act," she said, according to Italian news agencies.

Albertini did not elaborate and was not immediately available for comment.

Fasulo had reported landing gear problems on his approach to Milan's Linate airport and air traffic controllers had diverted him. Minutes later, his Rockwell Commander 112TC struck the 26th floor of the landmark tower.

The lower floors of the 30-story building, which houses government offices, were reopened Monday. The funeral of the two women who worked and died there was held Tuesday in the city's cathedral.