On March 25, 2025, a serious incident unfolded near the Saint-Dizier 113 air base in Haute-Marne, France, when two Alpha Jet aircraft from the prestigious Patrouille de France collided during a training exercise. Fortunately, all three occupants of the jets, including two pilots and one passenger, managed to eject and were found alive and conscious following the alarming accident.
The startling event occurred at approximately 15:35, in the Villiers-en-Lieu area near the air base. Witness accounts and official reports indicate that the aircraft were involved in an acrobatic figure when the collision happened, which led to one jet crashing into a nearby cement silo and the other crashing into a wooded marsh area.
Emergency responses were swiftly activated, with the Sartre plan (which stands for Sauvetage Aéro-Terrestre) brought into play to facilitate the aerial and terrestrial search efforts for the occupants. By 16:20, the pilots had been located, with two being promptly transported to the Saint-Dizier hospital for medical assessment, while the third, who was polytraumatized, was placed under the care of the military.
Local authorities confirmed that, remarkably, there were no reported casualties on the ground as a result of the crash. The prefect of Haute-Marne, Régine Pam, expressed relief at the safety of the pilots, stating, “They are in relative urgency, but they’re speaking and appear fine at first glance.” Following the incident, a thorough investigation has been initiated to determine the precise causes of the collision, and a military prosecutor in Metz has assumed command of this inquiry.
Quentin Brière, the mayor of Saint-Dizier, elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the accident, remarking that the two aircraft made contact while executing a maneuver alongside five other jets. “One aircraft crashed onto a silo, while the other landed in a nearby bushy area,” he explained. This illustrates the unfortunate complexity of military pilot training, even among the elite ranks of acrobatic flyers, where precision and coordination are critical realities.
The Patrouille de France, established in 1953, is renowned not just for their skilled pilots, who are among the most training-intensive and dedicated in France’s military aviation, but also for their stunning aerial displays at events, particularly during the Bastille Day celebrations. Despite their elite status, incidents in aviation training have occurred over the years, with rare but significant accidents leading to injuries or fatalities. For instance, in 2019, one of their aircraft left the runway in Perpignan but fortunately sustained no severe injuries, while in 2002, a different pilot tragically died during training due to a parachute malfunction during an ejection sequence. Incidents serve as stark reminders of the inherent risks that even the most skilled pilots face in aerial maneuvers.
Immediate community support was mobilized, including dozens of firefighters responding to put out the blaze caused by one of the aircraft crashing into the cement plant. There was a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Interior and the Armed Forces, ensuring that the situation was handled efficiently. The Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, acknowledged the timely actions of the responders and assured the public that the safety protocols were also in check, protecting any potential civilian dangers.
There was a noticeable wave of concern surrounding this incident given recent events in military aviation in France. Last August, two pilots from a Rafale transformation squadron tragically lost their lives in a similar collision. Indeed, pilot safety and aviation precision remain a key area of focus and training within the armed forces, as they seek to minimize risks in an inherently hazardous field. Officials reaffirm that the review of safety procedures is ongoing, stating, “There will be an investigation, which is standard protocol in the event of a crash,” mentioned Metz’s prosecutor, Yves Badorc.
As this unfolding story develops, the community remains vigilant in learning more about both the pilots who performed admirably under such chaotic circumstances and the investigation that will investigate the collision’s causes. No additional information has been publicly shared thus far regarding the pilots’ identities, but their safety stands as a priority, noted local and military officials.
The Patrouille de France is a revered aspect of French military history and culture, entirely dedicated to spectacular aerial performances while symbolizing national pride. Therefore, these occurrences not only highlight the risks associated with precision flying but also resonate as a significant event in the military aviation landscape.
In conclusion, while the recent event brought on a series of alarming moments, the successful ejection of all pilots had a positive outcome, highlighting their training and preparedness for such emergencies, and it reinforces the importance of further investigations into the causes leading to potential safety modifications in future operations.
