On Tuesday, two jets from the French Air Force collided while practicing for an aerial display, crashing near an airbase in northeastern France. The Alpha Jets, belonging to the Patrouille de France aerobatic team, were performing stunts in a seven plane formation when the accident took place around 3:40 p.m. local time near Saint Dizier.
According to officials, all three pilots and one passenger ejected safely using parachutes and only experienced minor injuries. Emergency teams responded quickly, and French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu praised their swift actions. Video footage showed the jets spiraling down after the collision, with one crashing into a silo and the other landing in a wooded marsh area, as reported by the local mayor.
Established in 1953, the Patrouille de France has gained fame for its remarkable precision flying, particularly during events like the Bastille Day celebrations. The team mainly uses Alpha Jet aircraft for both training and their eye catching displays. As for the recent crash, the cause is still under investigation, and authorities are working hard to find answers.
The incident drew a lot of attention, but there were no civilian casualties or major damage aside from the aircraft. The team has temporarily stopped their operations while they await the results of the inquiry. This is an unusual accident for the elite squadron, and it goes to show how risky high speed maneuvers are, even for skilled pilots.