A group of nurses among the victims during a tandem jump outing
Category: World News
A civilian Pilatus PC-6 light aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in Tomblaine, northeastern France, on Sunday, June 28, 2026, killing all 11 people on board, local authorities reported. The victims included five instructors, five novice jumpers, and the pilot. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from the Nancy-Essey airfield, approximately 300 meters from the runway.
According to Yves Séguy, the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, the plane suffered a malfunction and fell almost vertically. "Had it occurred just a few dozen meters away, the accident could have caused collateral casualties," Séguy stated. Fortunately, there were no bystanders among the victims, as the crash narrowly missed a built-up area and a nearby shopping center.
The parachutists, who were predominantly a group of nurses seeking a recreational experience during a recent heatwave, were scheduled to jump in tandem pairs. This type of jump is often conducted with an instructor attached to a novice skydiver. The tragic incident marks one of France’s deadliest light aircraft accidents in decades, according to Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
The plane was chartered for a skydiving weekend event, a common practice for enthusiasts in the region. Local authorities highlighted that this was the most serious general aviation accident in terms of loss of life in France, excluding military and commercial aviation incidents, in about 30 years. The crash shocked witnesses, many of whom were family members of the victims who had gathered to watch the jumps.
Mayor of Nancy, Mathieu Klein, expressed the emotional toll of the event, noting that some families witnessed the aircraft fall from the sky. "They died in full view of their loved ones, who were preparing to film the tandem skydives," he said. This tragedy has left a community grappling with immense grief and psychological trauma.
Emergency services responded swiftly, providing medical and psychological support to relatives of the victims and witnesses. The Paris prosecutor's office has initiated a formal investigation into the crash, with authorities collecting witness statements and assessing the wreckage.
In the aftermath of this devastating crash, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot visited the site to assess the situation and offer support to the grieving families. Nunez emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the malfunction that led to the crash.
The investigation will likely focus on the aircraft's maintenance history and operational protocols at the Nancy-Essey airfield. As authorities continue their work, they have urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services unobstructed access.
The emotional impact of the crash will resonate throughout the local community for years to come, as families mourn their lost loved ones. The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with skydiving and the importance of stringent safety measures within the aviation industry.
As investigations progress, the community is left to heal from the tragedy, with support systems in place to assist those affected. The full findings of the inquiry into the crash are expected to be released in the coming months, shedding light on the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking event.