Four aviation students have died in a light aircraft crash in the French Pyrenees near the Catalan border.
The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon, claiming the lives of a 25-year-old flight instructor and three students from Europe’s largest aeronautics school.
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All four victims, aged between 18 and 25, were confirmed deceased by French transport authorities.
The aircraft, a DR400 single-engine plane, was expected to return to its base at the Sent Gironç aeroclub at 5:40 PM. Consequently, when it failed to appear, the aeroclub alerted the Lyon Air Rescue Coordination Centre around 6 PM. A major search operation involving gendarmerie, firefighters, and civil protection units was immediately deployed.
Rescue Teams Locate Wreckage In Remote Mountain Zone
After two hours of searching, rescue teams located the wreckage at an altitude of 2,000 metres. The site, near the Eychelle lake in the Bethmale municipality, was described as a snowy, dangerous area inaccessible by road. The bodies of all four occupants were found at the scene alongside the aircraft’s remains.
The victims have been identified as the 25-year-old instructor, a 21-year-old licensed pilot, a 21-year-old woman, and an 18-year-old man. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot expressed his “pain” and conveyed condolences to the families and the wider aviation community. He stated these “four young enthusiasts embodied the future of our aviation.”
Meanwhile, the Foix prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the accident. An autopsy has been ordered to clarify the exact causes of death. The École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) has made psychological support available to students and families affected by this tragedy.
Jacques Danti, president of the aeroclub, told AFP they could not understand what happened. “We don’t understand what could have occurred. The weather was good, it was a recreational flight of 20 to 30 minutes. We don’t know what happened, we are devastated,” he lamented. He added the plane was in “good condition” and maintenance was up to date.
This incident highlights the inherent risks of flight training in challenging mountain environments. Furthermore, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those pursuing careers in aviation, even during routine training exercises. The investigation will now seek answers for the grieving families and the aviation school community.
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