Military Jets Collide Midair During Stunt, Crash in Fiery Explosion

Two military jets collided midair during a rehearsal stunt in northeastern France, sending both aircraft spiraling to the ground in a fiery explosion. Dramatic footage captured the incident near Saint-Dizier at approximately 3:40 p.m. local time.

The collision involved two Alphajets from the prestigious Patrouille de France, a precision aerobatics demonstration team that has been thrilling crowds since 1953. Seven aircraft were flying in formation when the mishap occurred, leading to the ejection of three pilots and one passenger, who parachuted to safety. Thankfully, all involved escaped with minor injuries.

Video of the incident shows a coordinated turn by the aircraft team, emitting colored smoke to enhance the visual display. Suddenly, two jets collided, forcing the crew to eject and leaving the jets to crash into a marshy wooded area and a silo. The aftermath saw plumes of fire and smoke engulfing the crash site.

French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the incident via social media, expressing gratitude for the rapid response of emergency services and sending well wishes to the pilots. The mayor of Saint-Dizier, Quentin Brière, also addressed the situation, noting the absence of casualties in the crash zone.

The Alpha Jet, developed in the 1970s by Dassault Aviation and Dornier, is a two-seat aircraft used for pilot training and aerobatic performances. While accidents are rare among the elite Patrouille de France, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in precision flying.

The Patrouille de France, known for its dazzling displays on Bastille Day, is comprised of hand-picked fighter pilots hailed as some of the best in their field. Despite the rarity of such accidents, the cause of the collision remains under investigation.