Midair Collision Between French Military Jets
Two military jets from a prominent aerobatic team collided midair during a stunt rehearsal in France, resulting in a crash that produced a significant fireball, as shown in footage of the event. Three individuals—two pilots and one passenger—successfully...
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Two military jets from a prominent aerobatic team collided midair during a stunt rehearsal in France, resulting in a crash that produced a significant fireball, as shown in footage of the event.
Three individuals—two pilots and one passenger—successfully ejected before the collision and were “found conscious,” according to the French Air and Space Force's post on X. The incident occurred near an airbase in Saint-Dizier, eastern France, on Tuesday afternoon amid a training exercise involving six Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France, the precision aerobatics team of the French Air Force.
Bystander footage captured the moment when the jets, performing a stunt and releasing smoke trails, collided. The aircraft subsequently spiraled downward as crew members were observed ejecting and deploying their parachutes. Moments later, the jets crashed to the ground, producing a fiery explosion.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the incident on X and noted that emergency services were quickly dispatched to the location. He stated, “Slightly injured, they were taken into care. Thanks to the emergency services mobilized, thoughts for our pilots of the Patrouille de France.”
Saint-Dizier Mayor Quentin Briere mentioned that one of the jets crashed into a grain silo, leading to an explosion, while the other fell onto agricultural land, according to Le Parisien. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries on the ground.
According to Le Figaro, two of the individuals were taken to a nearby hospital in a condition described as a “relative emergency.” The third person, who sustained multiple injuries, is reportedly receiving treatment from the army.
French authorities have stated that the cause of the collision remains unclear at this time.
The Alpha Jet is a two-seat light attack and advanced trainer aircraft, initially developed in the 1970s by France’s Dassault Aviation and Germany’s Dornier, primarily for pilot training and aerobatic demonstrations.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Three individuals—two pilots and one passenger—successfully ejected before the collision and were “found conscious,” according to the French Air and Space Force's post on X. The incident occurred near an airbase in Saint-Dizier, eastern France, on Tuesday afternoon amid a training exercise involving six Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France, the precision aerobatics team of the French Air Force.
Bystander footage captured the moment when the jets, performing a stunt and releasing smoke trails, collided. The aircraft subsequently spiraled downward as crew members were observed ejecting and deploying their parachutes. Moments later, the jets crashed to the ground, producing a fiery explosion.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the incident on X and noted that emergency services were quickly dispatched to the location. He stated, “Slightly injured, they were taken into care. Thanks to the emergency services mobilized, thoughts for our pilots of the Patrouille de France.”
Saint-Dizier Mayor Quentin Briere mentioned that one of the jets crashed into a grain silo, leading to an explosion, while the other fell onto agricultural land, according to Le Parisien. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries on the ground.
According to Le Figaro, two of the individuals were taken to a nearby hospital in a condition described as a “relative emergency.” The third person, who sustained multiple injuries, is reportedly receiving treatment from the army.
French authorities have stated that the cause of the collision remains unclear at this time.
The Alpha Jet is a two-seat light attack and advanced trainer aircraft, initially developed in the 1970s by France’s Dassault Aviation and Germany’s Dornier, primarily for pilot training and aerobatic demonstrations.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
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