Eleven Killed in Plane Crash During Skydiving Exercise in Eastern France
Eleven killed after plane carrying skydivers – A light aircraft involved in a skydiving training session crashed in Tomblaine, a town in eastern France, on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and ten skydivers. According to local officials, the five instructors and five first-time jumpers on board perished in the incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey airfield. The crash happened around 11:00 local time, equivalent to 10:00 BST.
Investigation and Family Impact
The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, confirmed that the Paris prosecutor’s office has initiated an inquiry into the crash’s cause. Relatives of the victims were present at the airfield, having gathered to watch the tandem jumps. Nuñez noted that the emotional toll on families was profound, describing the scene as one where “some of the victims had died in full view of their loved ones.” Psychological support teams were deployed to assist those affected by the trauma.
“There was very strong emotion at the crash site, and great solidarity for the families of the victims,” Nuñez stated.
Witness Account and Crash Location
A bystander, who chose not to reveal their identity, shared observations with Reuters. They reported seeing the plane veer sharply to the right while driving nearby. “Something was clearly wrong,” the witness said. Although they couldn’t see the impact due to a road embankment, the sound of the crash was unmistakable. Upon arriving at the scene, they assisted in dousing the burning wreckage, noting that “they had all died instantly” with no signs of movement.
Heatwave Conditions and Safety Concerns
The crash took place amid a severe heatwave affecting much of Europe, with an amber weather warning active in Meurthe-et-Moselle on Sunday. Officials remain uncertain about the role of weather in the accident. Tomblaine’s mayor, Hervé Feron, described the plane’s fall as “completely unexplained,” emphasizing that “it was too early to try to find explanations.” Weather conditions might have contributed, but their exact impact is still under scrutiny.
“Weather conditions might have played a role, or perhaps not at all,” Feron told BFM.
Close Call with Residential Areas
Local authorities reported that the plane struck the ground near the airfield’s edge, narrowly avoiding nearby houses and a shopping center. Yves Seguy, the prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, highlighted the plane’s near-vertical descent into a housing estate, stating that “give or take a few metres, the accident could have caused collateral casualties.”
Thierry Pechey, president of a local nursing association, noted that half of the deceased skydivers were nurses. “They were colleagues who decided to go on their first jump, likely to unwind during the heatwave,” he said.
