Overview
- The Pilatus took off from Nancy-Essey and plunged near the end of the runway in Tomblaine, causing the deaths of five trainee parachutists, five instructors and the pilot.
- Sunday witnesses and officials said the plane lost altitude almost immediately after takeoff and local media reported that three people appeared to have been ejected during the crash.
- Several of the trainee victims were freelance nurses from Nancy who were taking tandem 'battesimo' parachute jumps arranged by a parachuting club.
- Interior and transport ministers and the prefect attended the scene and authorities set up a medical-psychological support cell for families and witnesses.
- The Nancy prosecutor and the aviation accident investigation unit opened an inquiry that will rely on wreckage, maintenance records, witness statements and any passenger videos because the aircraft is not fitted with a black box.