Eleven people were killed when a skydiving plane crashed near Nancy in eastern France, according to local authorities; the aircraft, which was carrying 10 passengers and a pilot, fell shortly after takeoff. The crash occurred at 11am local time on Sunday near the Nancy-Essey aerodrome — the victims included five students and five instructors, said Yves Séguy, the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region.

Details of the Crash

According to Séguy. The plane suffered a malfunction and “fell almost vertically” after taking off from Nancy-Essey airfield, the aircraft crashed on the edge of a built-up area, just meters from where it could have caused additional casualties. Hervé Féron. The mayor of Tomblaine. Confirmed that no homes were hit and there were no ground casualties; the plane came down in a grassy area near the runway, but the proximity to residential zones heightened the risk of further harm.

John Curaku. A local resident. Told BFM-TV he was in his garden when he heard what sounded like a plane’s engine stopping, immediately followed by a bang. He added that he went to the crash site and found “no signs of life,” with two of the bodies thrown several meters from the plane. Emergency services cordoned off the site to prevent interference with the wreckage and to ensure the safety of responders.

Investigation and Response

A technical investigation has been launched, with the Nancy deputy public prosecutor, Amaury Lacôte, stating that gendarmerie units specialising in air transport had begun examining the wreckage. Séguy said that emergency services were collecting witness statements to determine the cause of the crash. The French aviation authority is also involved in the inquiry.

Emergency services provided psychological support to relatives of the victims who were present at the airfield. A reception center was set up to offer medical and psychological assistance to affected families. The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, was en route to the crash site, accompanied by the Transport Minister, Philippe Tabarot, who described the crash as a “terrible tragedy” and noted the “particularly heavy” death toll.

Context and Similar Incidents

The crashed plane was a propeller plane made by the Swiss manufacturer Pilatus and registered in Germany. It is a model commonly used for skydiving activities. The Nancy mayor, Mathieu Klein, said that the parachutists were to have jumped as tandems—pairs of individuals, often an instructor and a first-time jumper. Some of those taking part had family and friends who were present at the airfield and witnessed the crash.

This incident follows another skydiving-related crash in Butler, Missouri, on June 14, in which the pilot and 11 skydivers were killed. The Missouri crash also occurred shortly after takeoff, highlighting concerns about the safety of such aircraft during departure phases. French authorities are now working to determine whether a similar technical issue may have been involved in the recent crash in France.

French media reported that the plane was taking off when it suddenly crashed, with no immediate explanation for the accident. Authorities are continuing to gather information and analyze the wreckage to understand what caused the tragedy.