French Aerobatic Team Planes Collide During Rehearsal, One Crashes Into Silo

Saint-Dizier, France – Two Alpha Jet planes belonging to the Patrouille de France, the prestigious aerobatics demonstration team of the French Air and Space Force, apparently collided mid-air during a rehearsal near an air base in northeastern France on Tuesday, officials confirmed. One of the aircraft struck a silo, igniting a fire. Emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the site.

According to a statement from the French Air and Space Force, the collision occurred west of Saint-Dizier. The two pilots and a passenger onboard the jets managed to eject and were found conscious, though one suffered multiple injuries. No civilian casualties were reported.

Footage from the incident shows six planes performing a coordinated maneuver involving a dive. While four aircraft continued on their trajectory, two on the left side of the formation appeared to make contact, leading to an uncontrolled descent. The impact of one jet against a storage silo resulted in flames and thick smoke billowing from the crash site.

French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu acknowledged the accident on social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “An accident involving two Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France during rehearsals has just occurred in eastern France, emergency services have been mobilised.”

Emergency Response and Investigation Underway

Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the site to contain the blaze and assess the situation. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the mid-air collision.

The Alpha Jet is a light twin-engine aircraft primarily used for training and aerobatic performances. Notably, France has been using these aircraft to train Ukrainian pilots following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Past Incidents Involving French Military Aircraft

The incident comes less than a year after another mid-air collision involving French military jets. In August 2023, two Rafale fighter jets collided during a training exercise in eastern France, resulting in the death of two pilots.

France’s Rafale jets, known for their versatility in combat, have been exported to several countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Croatia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

A Legacy of Precision Flying

The Patrouille de France, established in 1953, is renowned for its precision aerial displays and often performs during national events, including Bastille Day celebrations. Accidents involving the team are rare, but the nature of their high-speed, close-proximity maneuvers carries inherent risks.

With rehearsals underway for upcoming airshows, the collision has raised concerns about flight safety protocols. The French Air and Space Force is expected to conduct a thorough review before resuming performance training.

Awaiting Further Updates

Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the condition of the injured crew member and the extent of the damage caused by the crash.

Investigators will examine flight data, weather conditions, and pilot communications to piece together the sequence of events leading to the accident.

The French public and aviation experts alike will be watching closely as officials work to ensure the safety of future Patrouille de France demonstrations.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members