Sabena Flight 503 was a scheduled commercial flight operated by the Belgian airline Sabena. The aircraft involved in the crash was a Douglas DC-6, which was on its journey from Brussels, Belgium, to Rome, Italy. On February 13, 1955, as the plane neared its destination, it encountered poor weather conditions marked by heavy clouds and low visibility. This led to difficulties in navigation and maintaining the proper flight altitude. The flight failed to reach the necessary altitude to clear the peaks of Monte Terminillo, resulting in a catastrophic collision with the mountain. Tragically, all twenty-nine passengers and crew aboard lost their lives upon impact.

Investigations into the crash highlighted the limitations of aviation technology at the time, including inadequate navigational aids and communication systems which contributed to the challenges pilots faced when flying in poor weather. The crash raised concerns about flight safety protocols, leading to discussions about improvements in aviation standards. Following the incident, there were calls for better weather reporting systems and training for pilots to navigate through adverse conditions effectively. This event served as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks involved in air travel, particularly in difficult flying conditions.