16 August 2024 , 18:32
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A rescue operation has been launched to find locate a pilot, whose fate is unknown, following the horror crash in front of spectators at the Patrouille de France air show
A plane has crashed into the sea in front of horrified spectators at an air show in France.
A rescue operation has been launched to locate the pilot following the crash at the Patrouille de France show, in southern France. It is understood the crash happened shortly before 5pm local time.
The pilot is understood to not be a member of the military. Harrowing footage of the crash was recorded by shocked onlookers who shared videos to X/Twitter and TikTok this afternoon.
Accident d’un avion de la patrouille de France au Lavandou à l’instant. En espérant que le pilote soit indemne. pic.twitter.com/LwXCjQZ38l
— Maxime Govare (@MGovare) August 16, 2024
In a video uploaded xto X/Twitter by Maxime Govare, the plane could be seen flying above the water before it continued on a downward trajectory. Just seconds later, the aircraft crashed into the water.
"Crash of a plane of the Patrouille de France in Lavandou just now," he said. "Hoping that the pilot is unharmed."
Another clip, taken at a different angle showed the plane hit the water hard close to a harbour. The impact threw water high into the air.
The pilot was unable to eject, according to local outlet Le Figaro. Firefighters have since begun a search for the pilot.
Government officials for the state services in Var confirmed there had been a crash. A statement shared to X/Twitter read: "This Friday, August 16, 2024 around 5 p.m., during an air show off the coast of Lavandou, a civil aircraft of the Fouga magister type crashed into the sea.
#AccidentAérien | Ce vendredi 16 août 2024 vers 17h, dans le cadre d’un meeting aérien au large du Lavandou, un AVION CIVIL de type Fouga magister s’est abîmé en mer.
— Préfet du Var (@Prefet83) August 16, 2024
▶️Les opérations de secours pour retrouver le pilote sont actuellement coordonnées par le CROSS Med. Des moyens… pic.twitter.com/eUsdQCVbPj
"Rescue operations to find the pilot are currently being coordinated by CROSS Med. Resources from the Var Departmental Fire and Rescue Service and the Maritime Gendarmerie are deployed in the area."
The air display has been cancelled, according to event organisers.
La Figaro added the accident happened during the French Air and Space Force show. It was organised to mark the 80th anniversary of the Provence Landings, an allied invasion of southern France during WW2.