French Air Force Jets Collide Mid-Air During Training Exercise
A mid-air collision involving two French Air Force fighter jets occurred on Tuesday during a training exercise over eastern France. The incident took place near Saint-Dizier Air Base and involved Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France aerobatic display team.
Stunt Rehearsal Turns to Disaster
Harrowing footage has surfaced depicting six jets engaged in a synchronized aerial maneuver, emitting smoke trails, when two aircraft abruptly collided. The jets were participating in a rehearsal when the aerial mishap occurred.
Following the impact, both aircraft plummeted to the ground and were destroyed in the ensuing crashes. Authorities confirmed the incident happened at approximately 3:35 PM local time near Air Base 113.
Pilots and Passenger Safely Eject
French Air and Space Force officials reported that all three occupants – both pilots and a passenger – successfully ejected from the stricken planes. They were subsequently located and confirmed to be conscious.
Medical responders transported two individuals experiencing ‘relative emergency’ conditions to a nearby hospital, as reported by Le Figaro. The third person, described as suffering from ‘multi-trauma,’ is receiving medical attention from army personnel.
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Official Confirmation and Emergency Response
France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, publicly acknowledged the accident in a statement released via social media platform X.
Lecornu stated that emergency services have been mobilized, with coordination efforts underway between the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
The aerial collision happened close to Saint-Dizier around 3:35 PM local time during a practice drill featuring seven Alpha Jets.
Officials confirmed both military jets were obliterated in the alarming mid-air incident.
All pilots and a passenger ejected and were reported ‘conscious.’ This image shows three individuals parachuting after ejecting from the warplanes.
One jet impacted silos at the Calin concrete facility, situated near the Saint-Dizier airbase. Firefighters are currently battling a resulting fire.
Crash Sites and Emergency Operations
Authorities confirmed that one of the jets crashed into silos at the Calin concrete plant, located in proximity to Air Base 113 near Saint-Dizier, triggering a fire. It is believed the second aircraft crashed in a nearby canal.
The concrete company informed reporters from Le Figaro that firefighters are actively working to extinguish the blaze. Police units and paramedics are also present at the scene.
No Civilian Casualties Reported
Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed in the aircraft incident.
Sater Plan Activated
Authorities have initiated the Sater Plan, a national protocol designed to coordinate search and rescue operations for distressed aircraft, utilizing air, ground, and radio resources.
Practicing for Air Exercises
The city of Saint-Dizier had announced the French Aerobatic Patrol’s schedule of air exercises, running from Monday to Friday this week.
A night training session had been scheduled for Tuesday evening, but its status remains uncertain following the day’s events.
Alpha Jets and Training Missions
France has recently utilized Alpha jet aircraft in the training of Ukrainian pilots amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Past French Air Force Accidents
In August 2024, a previous incident involved two French pilots who perished when their Rafale jets underwent a mid-air collision over eastern France. That prior event was considered an unusual accident concerning the advanced military aircraft.
Ongoing Situation
This is a developing news story. Further details will be provided as they emerge.
Two individuals are seen descending via parachute after ejecting from the Alpha Jets, with flames visible from the crash site.
The Alpha Jet planes reportedly collided near an air base to the west of Saint-Dizier in northeastern France. The image shows a fire erupting after one plane crashed.
The Calin concrete company confirmed the presence of police, firefighters and medical personnel at the location.
Smoke plumes rise over the Calin concrete facility after a French Air Force jet collided with another aircraft and subsequently crashed into concrete silos.