On August 14, 2024, a serious air accident occurred in Lorraine, involving two Rafale military aircraft. This dramatic event on the border between Meurthe-et-Moselle and Vosges triggered search operations for the missing pilots, which are still ongoing.
Collision between two Rafales in flight
According to reports, the accident occurred around midday, when two Rafale fighter jets from the French Air and Space Force collided over the town of Colombey-les-Belles. These planes belonged to the Rafale transformation squadron of the 113 air base of Saint-Dizier, in Haute-Marne. Contrary to the first information indicating that the planes involved could be Mirages, it has been confirmed that they were indeed Rafales.
Search for pilots and mystery surrounding the circumstances
One of the pilots managed to eject before the collision and was found safe. However, the search continues for the instructor and student pilot who were on board the second plane. The latter are still missing, and rescue services are mobilizing significant resources to try to locate them. The SATER plan (air-land rescue) was activated immediately after the accident, involving the gendarmerie, firefighters, and other specialized services.
Impact and follow-up of the investigation
This tragic accident raises questions about the reasons for the mid-air collision. The military authority has not yet communicated on the causes of this incident, but a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact circumstances. It is important to note that all the pilots involved were of French nationality, while training for foreign pilots, particularly Ukrainian ones, is currently underway in France, but on other types of aircraft.
