Military Jets Collide Mid-Air During Rehearsal in France
Dramatic video footage has emerged showing two military jets colliding mid-air during a stunt rehearsal in France. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the aircraft plummeting to the ground and erupting in a large explosion.
Pilots Eject to Safety After Jet Collision
According to the French Air and Space Force, the mid-air collision prompted all three pilots and one passenger to eject from the warplanes. They successfully parachuted to safety following the aircraft incident.
Details of the Aircraft Incident
The jets were part of a seven-aircraft formation participating in a training exercise with the Patrouille de France (PAF), the esteemed aerobatic display team of the French Air and Space Force. The incident unfolded near an air base in Saint-Dizier, northeastern France, at approximately 3:40 p.m. local time.
Two Alpha jets collided midair during a training exercise in France on Tuesday before crashing to the ground and exploding in a massive fireball, dramatic video shows.
Video Captures Jet Collision and Ejection
Video recordings illustrate the seven aircraft executing a synchronized turn while emitting colored smoke trails. Subsequently, at least two of the jets made contact, leading to the aerial mishap.
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Following the collision, the affected jets spiraled downwards. Footage shows the aircrew promptly ejecting from the stricken aircraft and deploying their parachutes. The jets then crashed, igniting in a fiery explosion upon impact.
Official Statements on the Mid-Air Collision
“At BA 113 in Saint-Dizier, two Alphajets from the Patrouille de France collided during a 7-plane training flight,” stated the French Air and Space Force in a post on X. “The three pilots, including one passenger, were able to eject in time and are safe. There are no casualties reported at this stage within the crash area.”
Alpha jets flying during an aerobatic air show in the Greek sky at the Athens Flying Week at Tanagra Military Airbase near Athens, Greece on September 22, 2019.
France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, also verified the incident via X, noting that emergency response teams had been dispatched to the location.
“Slightly injured, they were taken into care,” Lecornu added, expressing gratitude to the mobilized emergency services and extending thoughts to the pilots of the Patrouille de France.
Crash Site Details
According to Quentin Brière, the mayor of Saint-Dizier, as reported by Le Parisien and cited by AFP, one of the military jets impacted a silo, while the second aircraft crashed in a marshy, wooded area located immediately behind it.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the mid-air collision between the two aircraft remains under investigation.
About the Alpha Jet Aircraft
The Alpha Jet is a light attack and advanced trainer aircraft, a collaborative development from Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier of Germany in the 1970s. These two-seat jets are commonly utilized for pilot instruction and executing aerobatic displays.
Patrouille de France: A Prestigious Unit
Established in 1953, the PAF is a highly regarded aerobatic unit, renowned for its spectacular aerial performances, particularly during Bastille Day celebrations, as noted by the French news source Le Parisien. The PAF comprises elite fighter pilots, and accidents within the unit are uncommon.