TOMBLAINE, France — A skydiving excursion turned into tragedy on Sunday morning when a light civilian aircraft crashed near the Nancy-Essey airport in northeastern France, killing all 11 people on board.
The accident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time in Tomblaine, a suburb located just east of Nancy.
According to the local prefecture and regional newspaper L’Est Républicain, the aircraft—a Swiss-made Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter belonging to a local parachuting school—was carrying ten passengers and one experienced pilot. The passengers consisted of five skydiving instructors and five students who were participating in their first skydiving experience, reportedly identified as self-employed nurses from the local region.
The impact occurred in a grassy area along Rue Salvador Allende, close to a residential neighborhood. Emergency officials reported that three individuals were ejected from the aircraft during the crash. Despite the rapid response of emergency medical services (SAMU) and firefighters, authorities confirmed there were no survivors. The crash also caused a localized power outage in the immediate area.
The Meurthe-et-Moselle National Police cordoned off the area and issued an urgent plea to the public on social media, asking people to “strictly avoid” the sector around Rue Salvador Allende to give priority access to emergency vehicles and investigation teams.
Yves Séguy, the Prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, arrived at the scene shortly after the disaster and activated the Departmental Operational Center (COD) to streamline the recovery efforts and manage the crisis response.
An official investigation has been launched to determine what caused the aircraft to plunge to the ground so shortly after takeoff. Deputy Public Prosecutor Amaury Lacote announced that the forensic identification services, alongside the Nancy-Metz Air Transport Gendarmerie Brigade, have been tasked with leading the investigation.
France’s Interior Minister is expected to arrive at the crash site by 4:30 p.m. to meet with first responders, local officials, and families of the victims.
