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Mother Drives Pickup Through Kansas Youth Soccer Game, Killing 2, Injuring 11

18 October 2026 at 18:41

A 34-year-old woman inexplicably drove her pickup truck with two children as passengers through a Kansas youth soccer game, leaving two dead, including a six-year-old boy, and injuring 11 others, according to Wichita police.

The post Mother Drives Pickup Through Kansas Youth Soccer Game, Killing 2, Injuring 11 appeared first on Breitbart.

Ioannis Blesias, 40, Dimitrios Petrou, 37: The Greek Pilots killed in Phantom crash

6 September 2026 at 17:40

Lieutenant Commander Ioannis Blesias, 40 years old, and Lieutenant Commander Dimitrios Petrou, 37 years old, are the two pilots who lost their lives in the crash of a Phantom F-4 fighter jet during an Air Show near Athens on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Dimitrios Petrou (left) Ioannis Blessias (right) had over 1500 flight hours each […]

The post Ioannis Blesias, 40, Dimitrios Petrou, 37: The Greek Pilots killed in Phantom crash appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.

Two pilots killed as Phantom F-4 jet crashes during Athens Flying Week (VIDEO)

5 September 2026 at 13:38

A Phantom F-4 fighter jet of the Greek Air Force crashed during the air show of the Athens Flying Week in Tanagra north-western Athens at noon on Saturday, September 5, 2026. +++ One hour after the crash and it is still not known whether the pilot and the co-pilot survived the crash. +++ It is […]

The post Two pilots killed as Phantom F-4 jet crashes during Athens Flying Week (VIDEO) appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.

3 dead in private helicopter crash on Sifnos; UK couple onboard (Video)

17 August 2026 at 18:38

A crash of a private helicopter on the islands of Sifnos in the Aegean Sea cost the lives of three people on early evening on Monday, August 17, 2026. Dead are two men and one woman, most likely the pilot and a couple. According to officially unconfirmed reports, on board were a newly wed couple […]

The post 3 dead in private helicopter crash on Sifnos; UK couple onboard (Video) appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.

Nancy Plane Crash: 11 Dead, Victims Identified as Investigation Begins

29 June 2026 at 17:30
Avion Pilatus PC-6 (By JDrewes (see www.jandrewes.de), slight edit by Alvesgaspar – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Avion Pilatus PC-6 (By JDrewes (see www.jandrewes.de), slight edit by Alvesgaspar – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

 

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, a Pilatus PC-6 crashed near Nancy in the town of Tomblaine, killing all eleven people on board. The victims included five experienced skydiving instructors, five first-time tandem skydivers, and one pilot. The accident is the deadliest general aviation disaster in France in several decades.

The Civilian Victims: Ordinary Lives Cut Short

Beyond the tragic death toll, the crash claimed the lives of individuals remembered by their families and friends for their dedication, kindness, and humanity.

Cynthia Vally: A Dedicated Healthcare Professional

Cynthia Vally, 48, was the mother of two children and served as Chief Operating Room Nurse at the Gentilly Polyclinic in Nancy, part of the Elsan healthcare group. Known for her professionalism and commitment to both patients and colleagues, she embodied the core values of the healthcare profession. Co-workers describe her as deeply compassionate and unwaveringly dedicated. Family and friends paid tribute on social media, remembering her warmth, kindness, and infectious zest for life.

Youssef El Idrissi: Devoted Father and Sports Enthusiast

Youssef El Idrissi, 48, an accountant from Tomblaine, was well known in the local sports community. A member of the GSA Tomblaine veterans soccer team, he was remembered as a warm-hearted, friendly man. A devoted father of two boys, he never missed one of his sons’ games. Friends from the club noted that he had not originally planned to be on the ill-fated flight, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the tragedy.

Damien Giacovelli: A Committed Healthcare Provider

Damien Giacovelli, a self-employed registered nurse based in Nancy, was also among the passengers. His career reflected a strong personal commitment to caring for others.

A High School Student and First-Time Skydivers

Among the victims was an 18-year-old high school student from Jarville-la-Malgrange. His identity has not been released out of respect for his family’s privacy. The four other civilian passengers had come to experience their first tandem skydive, a recreational activity designed to introduce newcomers to skydiving under the supervision of certified instructors.

The Skydiving Instructors: Five Highly Experienced Professionals Lost

Five certified skydiving instructors lost their lives in the crash, each bringing years of expertise and passion to the sport.

Davy Tellier: A Respected Professional Firefighter

Davy Tellier, 53, served as a senior non-commissioned officer in the professional fire service in southeastern France. His death deeply affected the regional fire and rescue community. Officials from the local fire service expressed their heartfelt condolences to his family, honoring his years of dedicated public service.

Filip Kovacevic: A Passion for Aviation

Filip Kovacevic, formerly employed by PSA in Mulhouse, specialized in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. He later worked as a subcontractor for Veolia in Cernay while pursuing his passion for aviation and skydiving. Friends remembered him as a thoughtful mentor, generous with his knowledge and always eager to encourage others.

Anthony Planchon: The Pilot’s Final Act

Anthony Planchon, the pilot of the Pilatus PC-6, reportedly performed a final act of courage. According to witnesses, he steered the aircraft away from a vehicle in an apparent effort to avoid additional casualties on the ground. Fellow members of the Strasbourg skydiving school described him as someone who embraced life wholeheartedly, always organizing gatherings and sharing his love of aviation and skydiving. His enthusiasm and generosity leave a profound void among those who knew him.

Albéric Moulès: A Passionate Instructor

Albéric Moulès, 33, owned the company Vertical Addict in the Charente-Maritime region. Well known in New Caledonia, where he trained as a professional skydiver and instructor, he earned widespread respect for his outstanding teaching skills. A Facebook memorial group was created in his honor, reflecting the deep impact his death has had on the skydiving community.

The Crash and Weather Conditions

The accident occurred on Sunday, June 28, 2026, shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey Airport. The aircraft crashed near residential areas in Tomblaine but, despite the obvious danger, caused no fatalities on the ground. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who visited the scene shortly afterward, confirmed that the aircraft went down approximately 300 meters (about 980 feet) beyond the departure end of the runway.

The severe heat wave affecting France at the time has been identified as a possible contributing factor. High temperatures reduce the performance of light aircraft by decreasing engine power and lift. Aviation consultant and Aviation Sans Frontières President Gérard Feldzer noted that the extreme heat, combined with a heavily loaded aircraft and possibly full fuel tanks, may have significantly reduced the Pilatus PC-6’s takeoff performance.

The Aircraft: A Proven but Demanding Design

The Pilatus PC-6 is a Swiss-built single-engine aircraft widely used for mountain operations and skydiving. With more than sixty years of operational history, it is regarded within general aviation as a remarkably versatile and reliable aircraft, often described by aviation professionals as the “Swiss Army knife” of utility airplanes.

Nevertheless, its age raises questions regarding the maintenance status of the aircraft involved. Aircraft of this category require regular inspections by certified maintenance facilities. Investigators will examine when the last inspection was completed and who performed it. Although the PC-6 has an excellent engineering reputation, it has been involved in several accidents over its operational history, most often associated with demanding operating environments such as mountain flying and parachuting operations.

The Investigation: Challenges Without a Flight Recorder

Two parallel investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the accident. France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has dispatched investigators to the crash site, while a separate criminal investigation into involuntary manslaughter has been assigned to the Air Transport Gendarmerie.

No Flight Recorder

Unlike commercial airliners, the Pilatus PC-6 is not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder. The absence of these devices significantly complicates the investigation. The only available recordings come from Nancy’s air traffic control tower, although authorities indicate that no radio communications appear to have taken place between the pilot and controllers during the aircraft’s final moments.

Evidence Available to Investigators

Investigators will focus on analyzing the wreckage for mechanical failures, reconstructing the flight path through eyewitness accounts, and reviewing the aircraft’s maintenance history. According to a nearby witness, the airplane appeared to approach normally before the engine suddenly went quiet, suggesting the possibility of an engine failure.

Engine Failure Scenarios

If the engine did indeed fail at an altitude of approximately 100 to 150 meters (330 to 490 feet), the pilot would have had only seconds to respond. Under such conditions, even immediate corrective action may not have been sufficient to prevent the crash. The pilot may have attempted to avoid nearby homes, but the aircraft likely lacked the altitude needed to complete an evasive maneuver safely. Standard aviation procedures advise pilots of single-engine aircraft not to attempt a turn back toward the runway after an engine failure shortly after takeoff, as such maneuvers can lead to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

A Tragedy That Will Shape General Aviation

According to France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, this is the deadliest general aviation accident ever recorded in France in terms of fatalities. The investigation is expected to be lengthy and technically complex, requiring expertise in aeronautical engineering, mechanical systems, meteorology, and human factors.

For the grieving families, the investigation represents a painful search for answers about how eleven people could lose their lives just seconds after takeoff in an aircraft widely regarded as reliable. The outpouring of tributes across social media and regional news outlets reflects the profound emotional impact of this tragedy, extending far beyond the statistics of an aviation accident.

Determining the precise cause of the crash will be critically important for France’s general aviation community, particularly for skydiving schools that rely on aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-6. The investigation’s findings could influence future safety procedures, takeoff operating limitations, and maintenance standards for this class of aircraft throughout France and Europe.

11 killed in plane crash near Nancy

L’article Nancy Plane Crash: 11 Dead, Victims Identified as Investigation Begins est apparu en premier sur FrenchDailyNews.

11 killed in plane crash near Nancy

28 June 2026 at 14:54
Eleven people killed in a plane crash in Tomblaine (54)

Eleven people killed in a plane crash in Tomblaine (54)

A light aircraft crashed late Sunday morning near the Auchan supermarket in Tomblaine, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, close to the city of Nancy. The crash occurred at around 11:00 a.m. on a road adjacent to the shopping center, without striking any nearby homes. According to the Prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, the accident claimed 11 lives. None of the people on board survived.

Eleven people killed in a plane crash in Tomblaine (54)
Eleven people killed in a plane crash in Tomblaine (54) (DR)

Skydiving Introductory Flight

The aircraft was carrying 11 people: one pilot, five instructors, and five students. According to ICI Lorraine, the passengers were taking part in an introductory skydiving experience, and the crash occurred during takeoff. The aircraft had been chartered on Sunday by a company specializing in introductory skydiving programs.

According to the prefecture, the plane took off Sunday morning from Nancy-Essey Airport. During the initial emergency response, there was a significant risk that the aircraft could explode, prompting two emergency medical teams to respond to the scene with lights and sirens.

Around 50 Firefighters Deployed

The prefect of the department, Yves Seguy, activated the Departmental Operational Center (COD) to coordinate and monitor the emergency response in real time. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez was expected at the scene later in the afternoon. A press briefing was held with Prefect Yves Seguy, Tomblaine Mayor Hervé Féron, Nancy Mayor Mathieu Klein, Meurthe-et-Moselle Police Director Frédéric Laissy, and Jean-Philippe Gueugneau, director of the SDIS 54 fire and rescue service. Approximately 50 firefighters were deployed to the crash site.

The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.

L’article 11 killed in plane crash near Nancy est apparu en premier sur FrenchDailyNews.

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