Breaking News: A skydiving plane crashed in France shortly after take-off, resulting in no survivors amongst the eleven people onboard.
A skydiving plane crashed in France on Sunday, killing all eleven people aboard, including the pilot and both experienced instructors and novice parachutists. The crash occurred shortly after take-off from Nancy-Essey Airfield in northeastern France. Witnesses, including family members of the victims, reportedly watched the aircraft fall from the sky.
The single-engine Pilatus PC-6 “fell almost vertically” according to Meurthe-et-Moselle Prefect Yves Séguy, narrowly missing a populated area. Flightradar24 data shows the plane banked left and lost radar contact less than a minute into the flight. French authorities have launched a safety investigation, dispatching investigators from the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) to the crash site. The cause of the crash remains undetermined, and officials caution against speculation.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that some relatives of the victims witnessed the crash, creating “tremendous emotion and an even greater psychological trauma”. Nancy Mayor Mathieu Klein described the incident as an “immense shock” and offered condolences to the families. A gathering space has been opened at Marcel Picot Stadium for public mourning.
The crash represents France’s deadliest skydiving aviation accident in approximately three decades, according to Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot. Investigators are examining the wreckage to establish the sequence of events and determine the cause of the disaster. Recovery efforts and the investigation are ongoing, with a dedicated helpline established for affected families.
Sources: Fox News, Associated Press.
