A mid-air collision between two skydiving planes in southern France has claimed the lives of 11 people, prompting British aviation experts to call for an urgent review of safety protocols. The incident occurred on Sunday near the town of Alès in the Gard département, a popular area for skydiving. Local authorities confirmed that the aircraft, both operated by a private skydiving school, collided shortly after take-off. Seven of the dead were French nationals; four were foreign tourists, including one British citizen. The crash is one of the deadliest in French aviation history.
French investigators from the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) have opened an inquiry. Preliminary reports suggest a lapse in communication between the two aircraft. The pilots, both experienced, failed to maintain separation. The British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has offered technical assistance.
British aviation safety experts have expressed concern over the lack of a mandatory collision avoidance system for skydiving aircraft. “This is a preventable tragedy,” said Dr. James Harrison, a former AAIB investigator. “We have the technology. It should be fitted as standard.” The British Skydiving Association has announced an internal review but stopped short of demanding regulatory changes.
The Department for Transport in London has not yet commented. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is providing consular assistance to the families of the deceased. The crash has reignited the debate over commercial skydiving safety standards. France has operated a more relaxed regulatory environment for recreational flying. Critics argue that the industry’s self-regulation model has failed.
The incident coincides with a surge in skydiving tourism in Europe post-pandemic. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is monitoring the situation but maintains that it is a national matter. In Britain, the incident has prompted questions in Parliament. The shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh, has called for a summit with industry leaders.
The AAIB has previously flagged risks in the UK skydiving sector. In 2019, a report warned of a “significant safety deficit”. The current crash is expected to accelerate reforms. The BEA expects to release a preliminary report within the next 30 days.
