Tragic Airshow Accident: Pilot Dies After Aerobatic Plane Plunges into Sea
Le Lavandou, France – August 17, 2024 – A small aerobatic plane plunged into the Mediterranean Sea during an airshow on Friday, tragically claiming the life of its pilot.
The Fouga Magister aircraft, a historic jet used in training and aerobatics, crashed just off the coast of Le Lavandou in southeastern France moments before a scheduled performance by the French Air Force’s prestigious acrobatic team.
Eyewitnesses were shocked as the vintage aircraft spiraled out of control, unable to recover before hitting the water. Rescue teams quickly launched a search operation but were only able to retrieve the body of the 65-year-old pilot, who was tragically trapped inside the submerged wreckage.
The Fouga Magister, built in the post-World War II era, lacks an ejection seat, making escape impossible for the pilot. The airshow, which was to be a spectacle of skill and precision, was abruptly canceled following the devastating incident.
This tragedy follows another heartbreaking event earlier this week, where two pilots lost their lives after a mid-air collision involving Rafale fighter jets in eastern France. The double blow to France’s aviation community underscores the inherent risks faced by pilots during these high-stakes performances
ALSO READ:Check How Deputy Was Forced To Make Emergency School Landing
Tragic Airshow Accident: Pilot Dies After Aerobatic Plane Plunges into Sea