A plane crash on Sunday in eastern France resulted in the deaths of all 11 people on board. Local authorities confirmed that the fatal crash involved a skydiving plane in one of France’s most deadly light aircraft accidents.
Details of the Crash
The accident occurred in the town of Tomblaine. It claimed the lives of five instructors, five students, and the pilot. Yves Seguy, the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, provided this information.
The students were a group of nurses, as confirmed by the head of Meurthe-et-Moselle’s nursing council, Thierry Pechey. They likely chose skydiving to unwind during a tough time marked by a heatwave.
Mathieu Klein, the mayor of Nancy, said the victims died before their loved ones’ eyes, who were ready to record the jumps. Medical and psychological support teams offered assistance to the relatives and other witnesses at the scene.
Location and Impact
The Pilatus PC-6 aircraft, registered in Germany, crashed near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome. It landed in a grassy area adjacent to a residential zone and two roads. Mayor Klein remarked on the tragedy, noting it could have been worse as the crash site was merely meters from homes.
Tomblaine’s mayor, Herve Feron, shared that the plane inexplicably fell during ascent, saying it descended directly down. The aircraft was chartered specifically for the skydiving weekend, as is customary.
Investigation and Authorities’ Response
A technical investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Amaury Lacote, the deputy public prosecutor in Nancy, confirmed the opening of the investigation. Police have urged the public to avoid the area around the airport to ensure emergency services can operate efficiently.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot are expected to visit the crash site later in the day.
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