A skydiving plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday near Nancy in northeastern France, killing all 11 people on board, officials confirmed. The victims included five parachuting instructors, five novice jumpers—several reported to be nurses participating in their first skydiving experience—and the pilot. The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time at the Nancy-Essey airfield, located on the outskirts of the city.

According to Yves Séguy, prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, the single-engine plane suffered a malfunction and plummeted almost vertically, landing approximately 300 meters from the runway. The aircraft narrowly avoided nearby residential buildings, and authorities emphasized that any deviation could have caused additional casualties on the ground. Police quickly secured the crash site, which was located near a supermarket and a housing estate in the commune of Tomblaine. No injuries were reported among people on the ground.

Flight tracking data identified the aircraft as a Pilatus PC-6, which is commonly used for freight, passenger transport, and parachuting activities. The parachutists were scheduled to perform tandem jumps, a method where novice jumpers descend attached to instructors. Several families reportedly witnessed the crash firsthand, with some jump experiences arranged as gifts.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the event as France’s deadliest skydiving-related aviation accident in about three decades. He noted the plane “fell suddenly” but refrained from speculating on the cause. The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the crash, with relevant authorities working to determine the precise circumstances leading to the incident.

Local officials expressed the tragic scale of the accident, with Tomblaine Mayor Hervé Féron calling it unprecedented for the town. Grand Nancy Tomblaine airport officials conveyed their condolences and highlighted the profound shock experienced by the local community and aviation staff.

While the exact cause remains unknown, preliminary reports indicate the aircraft experienced technical difficulties immediately after takeoff. Emergency services provided psychological support to grieving families amid heightened concern over the traumatic nature of the crash, as relatives witnessed the incident in real time. Authorities continue to monitor the investigation as they work to uncover further details.