France Skydiving Tragedy: Eleven Killed As Light Aircraft Falls During Ascent Near Nancy Airport

Tomblaine, France—Eleven people died Wednesday when a light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane belonged to a local parachuting school. It went down near the Nancy-Essey aerodrome. The victims included the pilot, five instructors, and five students.

Witnesses described the plane falling straight down. It crashed into a grassy area near the runway. The site sits close to a residential neighborhood. Authorities reported it could have been much worse. The plane missed houses by only a few meters.

Many families were present to film the jumps. They watched as the aircraft hit the ground. Emergency crews arrived quickly but found no survivors. Medical and psychological teams are now providing support to the witnesses. The trauma has affected the entire community.

The students were a group of nurses. They had signed up for a first jump to relax. They were trying to decompress from a difficult work schedule. The heatwave has put extra pressure on the healthcare sector. The outing was intended to be a break.

The mayor of Nancy expressed deep regret. He noted the tragedy occurred in full view of loved ones. The aircraft was a Pilatus PC-6. It was chartered for the day. Such events are common practice for the school.

A technical investigation has opened. Officials are trying to understand why the plane plummeted during the ascent. The weather was hot, but conditions were clear. Experts are examining the mechanical logs of the aircraft.

Police cordoned off the area around the airport. They asked the public to stay away while teams worked. Government ministers are expected to visit the site. The tragedy has shocked the region.

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are interviewing school staff and witnesses. They are focused on finding any mechanical failure. The site remains under strict police control.