I was shocked when the 1998 jet hits cable car story was reported. I had no idea that such an aircraft could conceivably sever the steel cables like those supporting a cable car and fly on. I guess perhaps that the cables struck the landing gear or a similar tough bit.
Wiki says:
"The cable was severed and 20 people in the cabin descending from Cermis plunged over 80 metres (260 ft) to their deaths. The plane had wing and tail damage but was able to return to its base, "
The cables supporting cable cars are not flimsy.
A couple of poor images of the damage to the aircraft at starboard wing root.
Aircraft was EA-6B Prowler.
google for images [Damage to prowler jet cable car "archive.militarytimes.com"]
Site is subscription only, and I don't have a subscription, so any link I post may be no use.
The returned image may be a reduced resolution preview, not sure.
If anyone has a link to the US official report which has apparently been released to the Italian newspaper
La Stampa it might be interesting.
Exclusive: Classified Documents Show U.S. Full Responsibility For 1998 Italy Ski Gondola Disaster