A helicopter crashed around 7 p.m. in Castelguelfo di Noceto, near Parma, Italy, killing all three people on board. Among the victims was 41-year-old Lorenzo Rovagnati, CEO of the well-known Italian deli meat company famous for its “Gran Biscotto” ham and one of the heirs to the business founded by his father, Paolo.
Emergency responders identified Rovagnati at the crash site, where rescue teams worked into the evening to recover the victims. The crash occurred on the grounds of the Castelguelfo estate, owned by the Rovagnati family. The two other victims are believed to be the helicopter’s pilots.
Paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officers arrived at the scene to conduct initial investigations and identify the deceased. The Parma Prosecutor’s Office has launched an inquiry into the cause of the crash, while Italy’s National Agency for Flight Safety has also opened an investigation. An aviation inspector will be dispatched to coordinate with authorities.
Dense fog had covered the area throughout the afternoon, and poor visibility, combined with darkness, may have played a role in the accident. Preliminary reports suggest the helicopter was taking off but may have struggled to gain altitude before attempting to return to the ground. Investigators will examine whether a flight plan was filed and if air traffic control had been alerted. They will also determine whether the helicopter struck an object before going down.
The crash site is in a flat rural area near the Via Emilia, with the medieval Castelguelfo estate situated between Parma and Fidenza, close to the A15 highway exit. The estate includes a private helipad, a park with a lake, and multiple buildings. Outside the castle walls, the surrounding landscape consists mostly of farmland. Due to the thick fog and darkness, there appear to be no eyewitnesses to the crash.
Lorenzo Rovagnati, three years younger than his brother Ferruccio, had been married since 2019 and was the father of two children, with a third on the way.
“I had the great pleasure of knowing Lorenzo when he would visit with his father,” said Noceto Mayor Fabio Fecci, who was present at the crash site. “I’ve known this family for over 30 years—since they settled here, purchased Castelguelfo, and developed their pig farming operations. We had a strong relationship. They were a humble family. His father was a simple, hardworking man, a great entrepreneur, and Lorenzo was following in his footsteps alongside his mother and brother. This is a devastating tragedy for our entire community. Lorenzo was deeply involved in our social, cultural, and recreational initiatives.”
