A skydiving plane crashed in northeastern France on Sunday, killing all 11 people on board, including the pilot.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft, a Pilatus PC-6, experienced a malfunction shortly after departing from Nancy-Essey Airport. The plane fell almost vertically, narrowly missing populated areas, according to Prefect Yves Séguy. The victims included five parachuting instructors, five novice jumpers preparing for tandem skydives, and the pilot.
Some family members waiting at the airport witnessed the tragic event. An emergency unit was activated to support the loved ones of the victims and any witnesses.
Investigators from France's Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses are on the scene to determine the precise circumstances of the accident. The Air Transport Gendarmerie's investigative unit has been assigned the case, directed by the Paris prosecutor's office.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot described the incident as a "terrible tragedy" and noted it was France's deadliest aviation accident involving a skydiving flight in approximately 30 years. The Meurthe-et-Moselle Prefecture activated the department's operational command center following the crash.
Flight tracking data indicated the single-engine plane banked left shortly after takeoff and crashed less than a minute later, approximately 300 yards from the runway and near residential homes.
This incident occurred weeks after another fatal skydiving plane crash in the United States near Kansas City, Missouri, which also killed 11 skydivers and a pilot.