On March 25, 2025, two Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France collided during a training exercise near Saint-Dizier in Haute-Marne, leading to a swift emergency response but fortunately no casualties among civilians or military personnel on the ground.
The incident occurred at approximately 15:35, shortly after the aircraft began maneuvers. The Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, confirmed the accident on social media platform X, stating, “An accident involving two Alpha Jets of the Patrouille de France during rehearsals has just occurred in the east of France. Emergency services are mobilized.”
All three military personnel aboard the planes, which included two pilots and a navigator, managed to eject safely. They were subsequently reported to be conscious yet 'polytraumatized' due to the ejection and potential injuries from the ground impact. Authorities indicated that two of them were transported to the hospital in Saint-Dizier, while the third was receiving medical care from the army.
Quentin Brière, the mayor of Saint-Dizier, elaborated on the conditions of the crew, highlighting that their injuries were not life-threatening. “They are in relative urgency,” in terms of medical care, he noted. Despite these injuries, he reassured the public that no civilian or military casualties occurred on the ground during this incident.
As the situation unfolded, one of the jets crashed into a cement silo associated with the company Calin, while the other fell into a nearby marshy wooded area. Initial reports indicated that the crash ignited a small amount of cement, which was quickly handled by local firefighters. Brière mentioned that dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene to secure the area and extinguish any flames.
Images shared on social media showcased the critical moment of the collision, where six Alpha Jets were performing their famed acrobatic maneuvers, leaving trails of blue, white, and red smoke in their wake. Witnesses described seeing two of the jets descend and subsequently collide mid-air, emphasizing the dramatic nature of the event.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Sater plan, which coordinates the search and rescue efforts for both civilian and military aircraft, was activated by the prefect of Haute-Marne, Régine Pam. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact causes of the collision.
Notably, accidents involving the elite Patrouille de France are extremely rare. The team was created in 1953 and is known for its precision flying and sophisticated acrobatics, particularly during national events such as the Bastille Day parade. The public's concern is palpable, given the team's prestigious standing.
The town of Saint-Dizier has a strong military presence, with around 2,200 military personnel and their families residing there. Mayor Brière expressed solidarity with the families affected by this incident, saying, “When something like this happens, it embodies a part of us, a piece of our community.”
This is not the first tragedy associated with the Patrouille de France; in August 2024, two pilots from the Rafale transformation squadron tragically lost their lives in a collision during a training operation in Lorraine, a reminder of the inherent risks associated with military aviation.
The investigation will likely delve into the specifics of this latest accident, including the technical factors that led to the collision and any procedural oversights that may have contributed to it. In the meantime, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured crew members and reassurance of public safety in the aftermath of this harrowing event.
