A French military fighter jet crashed during a training flight in northeastern France, killing at least one crew member. Rescue teams launched an urgent search for the second person aboard.
The French Air and Space Force confirmed that a Mirage 2000D aircraft crashed on Tuesday night near Nancy.
French Fighter Jet Crashes Near Military Air Base
The aircraft went down at approximately 10:40 pm local time on October 20.
The crash occurred near Rogéville, close to the Nancy-Ochey military air base.
Officials confirmed that two crew members were aboard the aircraft.
One was a young trainee pilot, while the other was an experienced weapons systems officer.
Air Force spokesperson Colonel David Papalardo said initial evidence suggested at least one crew member could not eject before the crash.
Rescue Teams Search for Missing Crew Member
Emergency teams rushed to the crash site after authorities lost contact with the aircraft.
A drone helped locate the wreckage, allowing rescue personnel to reach the area.
Officials recovered one body but had not confirmed its identity.
Meanwhile, search teams continued looking for the missing crew member.
Investigation Launched Into Fighter Jet Crash
French authorities have opened investigations to determine what caused the accident.
The Mirage 2000D is a two-seat combat aircraft that entered service in 1993.
France has deployed these aircraft in military operations across Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other regions.
Previous accidents involving the aircraft occurred in 2019 and 2021.
France recently completed upgrades to its Mirage 2000D fleet and plans to operate the aircraft into the 2030s.
The cause of Tuesday’s crash remains unknown.
