Civil Aircraft Crash Carrying Paratroopers in France (June 2026)

On 28 June 2026, at approximately 11:00 local time, a civilian aircraft carrying parachutists crashed shortly after takeoff from the town of Tomblaine in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of eastern France. The aircraft, which had departed from Nancy-Essey Airport, carried a total of 11 people including the pilot, and all occupants perished in the crash.

According to the Meurthe-et-Moselle Prefecture, the aircraft was conducting a routine parachuting flight when it crashed due to an as-yet-unidentified cause. Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff, while climbing in altitude, the aircraft suddenly turned to the right and then impacted the ground at nearly a vertical angle.

The aircraft crashed into an empty area near a bicycle path on the edge of a residential zone close to Tomblaine’s airfield. No persons on the ground were injured and no damage was reported to nearby buildings.

Ten parachutists, along with the pilot, lost their lives in the crash. According to information provided by local professional associations, the victims included five parachute instructors and five independent nurses. Authorities stated that identification of the deceased is being carried out by judicial authorities.

Following the crash, police units, medical personnel, and approximately 50 firefighters were dispatched to the area. A security perimeter was established at the site and investigations began in the debris zone.

Meurthe-et-Moselle Prefect Yves Séguy, in a statement following the incident, noted that the crash occurred in full view of numerous witnesses and that relatives of the victims were present at the scene. Séguy added that judicial investigation teams had been deployed to the area to conduct a standard accident inquiry.

French civil aviation safety authorities and judicial officials have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Initial reports indicated that the aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff, and investigators are examining whether technical failure, mechanical malfunction, pilot error, or other possible factors contributed to the accident. Flight data records, maintenance history, and technical examinations of the wreckage will form the core elements of the investigation.

French Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot described the crash as a “terrible tragedy resulting in a heavy loss of life” and extended condolences to the families of the victims. Tabarot announced that he would travel to the site alongside Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to oversee the investigation.

Tomblaine Mayor Hervé Feron stated that the aircraft’s failure to strike residential areas prevented an even greater disaster and confirmed that no civilians in the surrounding area were injured in the incident.