SAINT-DIZIER, France – A breathtaking aerobatic rehearsal turned into a scene of chaos on Tuesday when two French military jets collided midair, plummeting in fiery wrecks near the BA 113 air base in northeastern France. The dramatic incident, captured on video, involved two Alpha Jets from the prestigious Patrouille de France (PAF) aerobatic team, leaving onlookers in disbelief as plumes of smoke rose from the crash sites.
The collision occurred at around 3:40 p.m. local time during a complex seven-plane formation exercise. Footage circulating online shows the jets executing tight, synchronized maneuvers before their wings appear to clip, sending both aircraft spiraling uncontrollably to the ground. Miraculously, all four individuals aboard—three pilots and one passenger—ejected safely, deploying parachutes as the jets disintegrated below. The French Air and Space Force quickly confirmed their safety via social media, stating, “The crew members are alive and receiving medical attention. No fatalities have been reported.”
Emergency crews raced to the scene, where one jet had smashed into a grain silo, igniting a fireball, while the second crashed into a marshy wooded area nearby. Saint-Dizier Mayor Quentin Brière described the aftermath to local media, noting the swift response of firefighters and paramedics who contained the blaze and tended to the ejected crew. According to French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the survivors sustained only minor injuries—a remarkable outcome given the violence of the crash.
The Patrouille de France, established in 1953, is celebrated worldwide for its daring displays of precision flying, often headlining events like the Bastille Day parade. The Alpha Jets involved, lightweight aircraft designed for training and aerobatics, are a staple of the team’s gravity-defying routines. Tuesday’s rehearsal was part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming air show season, though the incident has cast a shadow over the team’s schedule.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision. “An investigation is underway to understand what went wrong,” Lecornu said in a statement. “Our priority remains the well-being of the crew and ensuring such an event does not happen again.” Experts speculate that factors like human error, mechanical failure, or even a sudden gust of wind could have disrupted the razor-thin margins of safety required for such maneuvers.
For residents of Saint-Dizier, a quiet town accustomed to the roar of jets overhead, the crash was a jarring reminder of the risks inherent in military aviation. “We see them practicing all the time, but you never imagine something like this,” said local farmer Jeanne Moreau, whose silo was struck. “It sounded like thunder when it hit.”
The incident marks a rare mishap for the Patrouille de France, which has maintained an impressive safety record over its seven-decade history. As investigators comb through wreckage and review flight data, the team faces a moment of reckoning. For now, the focus remains on the fortunate survival of the crew—and the hope that answers will soon bring clarity to this fiery spectacle gone awry.
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