One killed four injured on first stage of Italian Air Armada . One killed four injured on the first stage of the great formation flight to United States . A tragedy marred the first stage of the flight of the Italian air armada of 24 Savoia - Marchetti SM.55X flying boats led by General Balbo , the Italian Air Minister to America . On arrival at Amsterdam from Ortobello , near Rome , one of the machines capsized killing one airman and injuring four others . The other 23 machines will continue the flight , the greatest formation flight ever attempted . Photo shows ; The wreckage of the plane that capsized on landing . 1 April 1933 30s, 30's, 1930s, 1930's, thirties, nineteen thirties