French investigators probe fatal skydiving plane crash that killed pilot and 10 parachutists

A plane carrying 11 people, including five parachuting instructors, five novice jumpers, and the pilot, crashed shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey Airport in northeastern France on Sunday. Authorities stated the aircraft suffered a malfunction and fell almost vertically, narrowly missing populated areas. Flight tracking data indicates the single-engine Pilatus PC-6 banked left shortly after departure before crashing less than a minute later. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot visited the crash site, and investigations are underway by the Paris prosecutor's office and the Air Transport Gendarmerie to determine the cause. This incident marks France's deadliest aviation accident involving a skydiving flight in approximately 30 years.

A skydiving plane crashed in northeastern France on Sunday, killing all 11 people on board, including five instructors, five novice jumpers, and the pilot. The aircraft, identified as a Pilatus PC-6, dropped out of the sky suddenly shortly after taking off from the Nancy-Essey airfield. Authorities stated the plane suffered a malfunction and fell almost vertically, narrowly missing a built-up area. Families of the victims witnessed the crash, leading to significant emotional distress. The Paris prosecutor's office is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident, which is France's biggest aviation accident involving skydiving in approximately 30 years. Emergency services provided psychological support to the victims' relatives at the scene.

A plane carrying skydivers crashed in Tomblaine, northeastern France, on Sunday at 11 am local time, resulting in the deaths of all 11 people on board. The victims included the pilot, five students, and five instructors. Emergency services responded immediately to the scene, and authorities are collecting witness statements. The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the Interior Minister was en route to the crash site. Police advised the public to avoid the area around the airport to ensure unimpeded access for responders.