11 killed in civilian skydiving plane crash in France
A civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed near Tomblaine, France, killing all 11 people on board. The victims included the pilot, five instructors, and five students, reportedly nurses on their first skydiving jump. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey airfield.
Key Highlights
- 11 people died in a plane crash in Tomblaine, France.
- The aircraft was carrying skydivers, including instructors and students.
- The students were reportedly a group of nurses.
- The plane crashed shortly after taking off from Nancy-Essey airfield.
- No bystanders were among the victims.
- A technical investigation into the cause of the crash has been opened.
A tragic incident occurred on Sunday, June 28, 2026, when a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed near Tomblaine in northeastern France, resulting in the deaths of all 11 people on board. The aircraft, a Pilatus PC-6 registered in Germany and operated by a parachutist school, crashed shortly after taking off from Nancy-Essey airfield at approximately 11:00 AM local time.
The manifest of the flight included the pilot, five experienced skydiving instructors, and five students. Multiple reports indicate that the five students were a group of nurses from Nancy, undertaking their first skydiving experience. This information was corroborated by Thierry Pechey, president of the Meurthe-et-Moselle branch of the Order of Independent Nurses. It is understood that these nurses had decided to go skydiving as a way to unwind, particularly during a period of intense heatwave in the region.
Eyewitness accounts and official statements suggest that the aircraft experienced a malfunction shortly after takeoff and descended almost vertically. One witness reported hearing the engine noise suddenly stop before the loud bang of the crash. The plane came down in a grassy area near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome, close to a residential area and two roads. Fortunately, the crash did not result in any collateral damage or casualties on the ground, though it narrowly missed nearby homes. Officials noted that the accident could have been far worse had it occurred just a few dozen meters away.
French authorities, including the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, Yves Seguy, responded immediately to the scene. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot were also on site or en route to the crash location. A technical investigation into the cause of the crash has been opened by the relevant authorities, including the Nancy deputy public prosecutor. The Paris prosecutor's office is leading the investigation. Families of the victims were present at the airfield and received medical and psychological support.
This incident is described as one of the deadliest light aircraft accidents in France in recent decades, with Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stating it was the biggest aviation accident involving skydiving in approximately 30 years.
The Times of India is a generally reputable Indian news source, though it has been rated as having a Right-Center bias and Mixed factual reporting by some media analysis groups. However, the core facts of this news story are widely corroborated across multiple international news outlets, indicating a high degree of accuracy regarding the event itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Tomblaine, France?
A civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff near Tomblaine, France, resulting in the deaths of all 11 people on board.
How many people died in the plane crash?
A total of 11 people, including the pilot, five instructors, and five students, lost their lives in the crash.
Who were the victims of the crash?
The victims were the pilot, five skydiving instructors, and five student skydivers, who were reportedly nurses on their first skydiving jump.
Where did the plane crash?
The plane crashed in a grassy area near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome in Tomblaine, northeastern France.
What is being done to investigate the crash?
A technical investigation has been opened by the French authorities to determine the cause of the crash, with the Paris prosecutor's office leading the probe.