Midair Collision of Two Alpha Jets during training – Newsxpress
Saint-Dizier, France – March 26, 2025
A dramatic midair collision between two Alpha Jets during a training drill by France’s elite aerobatic team, often likened to the UK’s Red Arrows, left spectators and authorities in shock near Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier today. The incident, which occurred at approximately 15:40 local time, involved seven Alpha Jets performing a stunt display when two of the aircraft collided, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and debris raining down over the area.
According to a statement from the French Air Force, both pilots and one passenger onboard the jets were able to eject from their aircraft before impact and were found conscious by emergency responders. The individuals were immediately transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation, though their conditions remain undisclosed. No injuries were reported on the ground, but the incident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols of high-risk aerobatic displays.
The French aerobatic team, known as the Patrouille de France, was conducting a routine training session ahead of a scheduled public airshow this weekend. The Alpha Jets, lightweight training and light attack aircraft, are a staple of the team’s performances, renowned for their precision and daring maneuvers. Witnesses described the moment of the collision as sudden and terrifying. “They were flying so close together, doing loops and rolls, and then there was this loud bang,” said Claire Dupont, a local resident who was watching from a nearby field. “I saw two jets break apart, and then parachutes came down. It was surreal.”
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene within minutes, securing the area around Air Base 113 and extinguishing small fires caused by the wreckage. The French Air Force has grounded the Patrouille de France pending a full investigation into the cause of the collision. Initial reports suggest that the jets may have misjudged their proximity during a complex formation maneuver, but mechanical failure or human error have not been ruled out.
General Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, expressed relief that no lives were lost but emphasized the gravity of the incident. “The safety of our pilots and the public is our top priority,” he said in a press conference this evening. “We will conduct a thorough investigation to understand what went wrong and ensure this does not happen again.” The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has also been called in to assist with the investigation, which will include analyzing flight data recorders and interviewing the pilots.
The incident has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many drawing comparisons to a similar accident involving the Red Arrows in 2011, when a pilot was killed during a training exercise. Posts on X today reflected a mix of relief and concern, with users praising the pilots’ quick thinking while questioning the risks of such displays. “Thank God they’re alive, but maybe it’s time to rethink these stunts,” one user wrote. Another added, “The Patrouille de France is incredible, but this shows how dangerous their job is.”
This crash comes at a time of heightened global attention on aviation safety, following several high-profile incidents in recent months, including a private jet crash in North Carolina just yesterday. For the residents of Saint-Dizier, a town accustomed to the roar of jets from Air Base 113, today’s events were a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who take to the skies. As the investigation unfolds, the Patrouille de France faces an uncertain future, with their upcoming airshow now in jeopardy. For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the pilots and passenger, and on ensuring such a close call does not turn deadly in the future.
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