A routine skydiving flight in northeastern France ended in tragedy on June 28, 2026, when a Pilatus PC-6 aircraft crashed near Tomblaine, killing all 11 people on board. The plane was carrying an experienced pilot, five skydiving instructors, and five people preparing for tandem jumps. According to preliminary findings, the flight took a devastating turn just moments after take-off from Nancy-Essey Airport.

Investigators from France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) reported that two instructors noticed what appeared to be smoke near the front-right area of the cabin. The aircraft’s side door was partially opened in an attempt to ventilate the cabin. Shortly afterward, engine performance changed, the aircraft’s nose rose, its speed began to fall, and stall warnings sounded.

The pilot had approximately 10,500 flight hours, including around 4,000 hours on the Pilatus PC-6. Investigators also found that the aircraft’s weight and balance were within permitted limits, while weather conditions were generally favorable, despite high temperatures. These findings have made the sequence of events especially important to understanding the crash.

However, the preliminary report has not established the exact cause of the accident. Investigators are examining the engine, fuel system, recorded flight data, and warning indicators to determine what happened. While the report provides a clearer picture of the aircraft’s final moments, the crucial question remains unanswered: What caused the smoke warning and the sudden loss of engine performance?