Eleven dead after plane carrying skydivers crashes in France during take-off: Nurses participating in ‘introductory sky jump’ believed to be among victims
At least 11 people died today when a plane carrying paratroopers hoping to take part in the first jump crashed in eastern France.
The tragedy unfolded shortly after 11am on Sunday, when the German-registered Pilatus PC-6 became stranded.
‘The single-engine plane was carrying approximately eleven people when it crashed near Nancy,’ an investigative source said.
‘He was hired by a company that organizes parachute jumps.
‘On board were a pilot, five instructors and five others who would take part in tandem jumps for the first time.’
Governor of Meurthe-and-Moselle, Yves Séguy, confirmed that the ‘provisional death toll is eleven’ and said that the number could increase due to the victims in the area.
There has been no statement yet about the names or nationalities of those on board the plane, which local authorities say is regularly used for parachute jumps.
However, local media reported that five of the victims of the horrific crash were self-employed nurses from the local area, who were parachuting for the first time.
Thierry Pechey, president of the Meurthe-et-Moselle Nursing Council, said: ‘An introductory sky jump was organized for private practice nurses in Nancy.’
At least 11 people died today when a plane carrying paratroopers hoping to take part in the first jump crashed in eastern France.
The tragedy unfolded shortly after 11am on Sunday, when the German-registered Pilatus PC-6 became stranded.
The plane had taken off from Nancy-Essey airport a few minutes ago (Image)
The plane crashed on the road next to the Auchan supermarket in Tomblaine, a suburb of Nancy.
It had taken off from Nancy-Essey airport a few minutes earlier and began falling from the sky during takeoff.
Tomblaine mayor Hervé Feron said: ‘The plane crashed suddenly as it was about to take off. There is currently no explanation for the accident. The accident did not cause any collateral damage; The incident occurred on a bicycle path near a residential area.
‘The City of Tomblaine is providing a room in a secret location to house the families of the victims. According to the information I received, there were five instructors, five paratroopers and a pilot on the plane, which was probably rented in Germany. The Greater Nancy Metropolitan Area also provides a room for victims to gather and pay their respects.’
He added: ‘I don’t remember a tragedy of this magnitude.’
A spokesman for the Province of Meurth-et-Moselle said: ‘The incident occurred in the municipality of Tomblaine involving a civilian aircraft taking off from Nancy-Essey airport.’
The area around the crash site was immediately sealed off while emergency personnel searched for survivors.
Local prosecutor Amaury Lacote announced that an official investigation would be launched together with the Nancy-Metz air transport gendarmerie brigade.
Following the accident, there was a power outage in the area around Tomblaine. It is unknown whether this is related to the accident.
The plane crashed on the road next to the Auchan supermarket in Tomblaine, a suburb of Nancy.
According to local media reports, five of the victims of the horrific accident were self-employed nurses from the local area, who were parachuting for the first time.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez is expected to arrive at the facility this afternoon.
Pilatus PC-6 Carriers were produced by Swiss company Pilatus Aircraft, but production ceased in 2022.
In October 2013, a Pilatus carrying ten paratroopers (five instructors and five students) and a pilot crashed in Fernelmont, Belgium, killing everyone on board.
This time the accident occurred shortly after takeoff.
And in August 2022, a South African Police Service PC-6 crashed shortly after takeoff from Rand Airport in South Africa, killing all five passengers during the crash. The pilot was the only survivor and was seriously injured.
