Pilatus PC-6 carrying skydivers crashes in France, 11 killed

A Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey Airport (ENC), near Tomblaine in northeastern France, on June 28, 2026, killing all 11 people on board.

The aircraft, registered D-FIPS, was reportedly operated for Tandemotion Parachutisme, a skydiving school based at the airport. It departed at approximately 11 a.m. local time for a parachuting flight. According to French officials and local media reports, those on board included the pilot, five skydiving instructors, and five students who were taking part in an introductory tandem skydiving session.

The aircraft came down shortly after departure, in the immediate vicinity of the airfield. Initial report indicates that it drifted slightly to the left after takeoff before entering a left turn and crashing onto a road just outside the airport perimeter, near a commercial area. Authorities said all 11 occupants suffered fatal injuries. No casualties were reported on the ground.

Emergency services were rapidly deployed to the crash site, including firefighters, medical teams, and police. A security perimeter was established around the area, while police urged members of the public to avoid the site in order to keep access clear for emergency responders and investigators.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. French authorities have opened an investigation, with the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) expected to examine the aircraft’s flight path, technical condition, operational circumstances, and any available witness accounts.

The Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter is a single-engine turboprop aircraft commonly used for parachuting operations due to its short takeoff and landing capability, high-wing configuration, and ability to operate from relatively small airfields.The post Pilatus PC-6 carrying skydivers crashes in France, 11 killed appeared first on AeroTime.

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