Volandia Park and Flight Museum to Receive Historic Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Jet Tied to Enrico Mattei Tragedy

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:15 AM, the Volandia Park and Flight Museum will formally receive a historically significant aircraft: the Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris I (serial number I-SNAI). The aircraft is a sister ship to the MS.760 Paris II (serial number I-SNAP) on which ENI president Enrico Mattei perished in 1962. The jet is being donated by Mr. Lupo Rattazzi.

Enrico Mattei was a pivotal figure in post-war Italy, best known as the visionary founder and president of ENI (Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi), Italy’s national energy company. Born in 1906, Mattei rose from modest beginnings to become a powerful industrialist and political influencer. He played a central role in transforming Italy’s energy sector by securing oil and gas resources independent of the dominant Anglo-American oil cartel, often negotiating directly with nations in the Middle East and North Africa. Mattei championed a policy of economic sovereignty and transparency, which earned him both admiration and powerful enemies. His untimely and controversial death in a 1962 plane crash has since fueled decades of speculation and investigation, cementing his legacy as both a national hero and a subject of enduring mystery.

Lupo Rattazzi is an Italian entrepreneur and aviation executive, known for his leadership in civil aviation and finance. A member of the prominent Agnelli family, he is the son of politician Susanna Agnelli. Rattazzi co-founded Air Europe Italy and currently serves as Chairman of Neos S.p.A., while also sitting on the boards of several major companies, including EXOR N.V. He is also active in cultural and historical preservation, including the recent donation of a rare MS.760 aircraft to the Volandia Museum.

Following the official handover, the museum will host a special conference introduced by Massimo Ferrari, Professor of Contemporary History. Mr. Rattazzi and aviation historian Gregory Alegi will delve into the circumstances surrounding Mattei’s fatal crash, exploring the facts and dispelling decades of speculation and misinformation. The conference will examine the numerous theories that have emerged over time, clearly separating substantiated evidence from baseless conjecture. Mr. Rattazzi will highlight how misidentified details—particularly concerning the MS.760 I-SNAI—gave rise to false narratives, including unfounded claims of a bomb plot and elaborate conspiracy theories. His presentation will underscore how such inaccuracies have distorted both public perception and historical understanding of the event. Professor Alegi will contribute his deep expertise in aviation history and crash investigation, offering a critical framework for evaluating the reliability of claims tied to high-profile accidents. He will emphasize the importance of thorough, evidence-based analysis in the face of conspiracy-driven interpretations—especially within the Italian context.

The Morane-Saulnier MS.760 is a French-designed light jet developed in the 1950s for military training and civilian executive transport. Praised for its agility, compact size, and speed, it became one of the earliest jets used for private air travel by prominent figures, including Mattei himself. The I-SNAI, now fully restored with its original livery and technical features intact, stands as a remarkable example of Cold War-era aeronautical engineering and a powerful symbol of historical reflection.The event will be available in streaming at the following links: https://www.youtube.com/@museovolandia https://www.facebook.com/Volandia

Volandia – Parco e Museo del Volo, located adjacent to Milan-Malpensa Airport in Somma Lombardo, Italy, is the country’s largest aviation museum and among the most significant in Europe. Established in 2010 within the historic Caproni aircraft factory buildings dating back to 1910, the museum spans over 60,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space and an expansive outdoor park. Its extensive collection features more than 100 aircraft, including iconic models like the Douglas DC-3, as well as helicopters, gliders, and a vast array of aviation artifacts. Beyond aviation, Volandia showcases the Bertone Collection of 76 classic and prototype automobiles and the Flaminio Bertoni Museum, dedicated to the renowned Italian car designer. The museum also offers interactive exhibits such as flight simulators, a planetarium, and dedicated children’s areas, making it an engaging destination for visitors of all ages. Easily accessible from Malpensa Airport, Volandia provides a comprehensive journey through the history and evolution of flight. For more information, visit www.volandia.it