A passenger aircraft carrying skydivers has crashed in the Doubs department of eastern France, killing all eleven people on board. The aircraft, a Pilatus PC-12, went down near the town of Besançon this afternoon. French authorities have confirmed that among the deceased are British nationals, prompting the UK Foreign Office to open a helpline for concerned relatives.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the French air accident investigation bureau, the BEA. The plane had taken off from a local airfield and was expected to return shortly before the incident. Witnesses reported hearing an engine sputter before the aircraft nosedived into a wooded area.
Emergency services arrived at the scene within minutes but found no survivors. The identities of the victims have not yet been formally released, but officials in the UK are liaising with French counterparts. The Foreign Office has deployed consular staff to provide support to families.
The crash is the deadliest skydiving accident in France in over a decade. Aviation experts will examine the wreckage and flight data recorders to determine what led to the failure. The local prosecutor has opened a preliminary inquiry into involuntary homicide.
The skydiving community has been left in shock, with tributes pouring in from clubs across Europe. This incident raises questions about the safety records of such leisure flights, though PC-12 aircraft are generally considered reliable. The BEA will issue a preliminary report within weeks.
UK families are bracing for the worst as the formal identification process begins.
