On August 14, the French Air Force was struck by a tragic aerial incident in the east of the country. Two pilots lost their lives after a collision between two Rafale jets during a training mission. A third pilot was able to eject and was found safe, ending intense search operations launched immediately after the accident.
Mid-air collision during a routine mission
The two Rafales, part of the transformation squadron of Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier, were returning from a refueling mission in Germany when the unthinkable happened. Around 12:30 PM, over the Colombey-les-Belles area in Meurthe-et-Moselle, the two aircraft – a single-seater and a two-seater – collided. The two pilots aboard the two-seater, Captain Sébastien Mabire and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens, were reported missing after the accident.
Ground and air search teams were immediately deployed to locate the missing pilots, but authorities quickly confirmed their deaths later in the evening. The bodies were recovered after hours of intense searching, marking a heartbreaking moment for the French Air Force.
A miraculous survivor
Among the three pilots involved in the accident, one managed to eject in time before the impact. He was found safe a few hours later, bringing relief on a day marked by tragedy. This pilot, whose identity has not yet been released, was at the controls of the single-seater. According to initial reports, he likely avoided a fatal outcome thanks to quick reflexes and a flawlessly executed ejection procedure.
A nation in mourning, investigations underway
The deaths of Captain Sébastien Mabire and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens have triggered widespread emotion across the country. “The nation shares the grief of their families and fellow soldiers,” said President Emmanuel Macron. Sébastien Lecornu, the outgoing Minister of the Armed Forces, expressed his support for the victims' loved ones and the members of Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier. He is set to visit the base on Thursday, August 15 to pay his respects.
Two investigations, one safety-oriented and the other judicial, have been launched to determine the exact circumstances of this collision. Aviation experts and specialized investigators have been mobilized to analyze the black box data and the flight conditions at the time of the accident. The initial analyses will focus on the coordination between the aircraft and possible technical or human factors that may have led to this tragic event.
A training mission turned nightmare
Training missions within the Air Force are crucial to ensure pilot readiness and aircraft proficiency. However, this incident starkly highlights the inherent risks of such operations, even during what are considered routine flights. The two pilots who lost their lives were experienced and played a key role in training the next generation of Rafale pilots.
The military community is mourning today, but the question of responsibility for this collision remains to be clarified. The investigations, which will likely take several weeks, are essential to fully understand this tragedy and prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.
This aerial disaster, beyond the human loss, underscores the high risks involved in military training and serves as a reminder of the courage of those who put their lives on the line every day to ensure the nation’s defense and security.