Two French Air and Space Force Rafale fighter jets collided during a training mission over Lorraine, France, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The incident occurred on Aug. 13 when the aircraft from the Rafale Transition Squadron 3/4 Aquitaine of the 113 Air Base in Saint-Dizier were returning from a refueling mission in Germany.
Captain Sébastien Mabire, an instructor, and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens, a trainee pilot, were killed when their two-seater Rafale crashed near Harmonville in the Vosges department. The pilot of the second aircraft successfully ejected and was recovered with minor injuries.
The collision took place during a combat maneuver exercise, with witnesses reporting seeing “fireballs” and debris scattered over a wide area. Local authorities mobilized significant resources, including 200 gendarmes, helicopters, and drones, to conduct search and rescue operations.
Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to visit the Saint-Dizier Air Base on Thursday. The Ministry of Armed Forces has initiated safety and judicial investigations to determine the cause of the accident.
This incident marks a rare occurrence for the Rafale, France’s advanced multirole fighter aircraft made by Dassault. The Rafale Transition Squadron 3/4 Aquitaine is responsible for training pilots and navigators for the French armed forces.
The Air Force emphasized that all pilots involved were French nationals. As the investigation continues, military operations in the area remain restricted, with local roads closed to facilitate recovery efforts.
For more information, hit the Source below