March 25, 2025, 19:38 (UTC +3)
French Air and Space Force confirms all pilots safe
All three crew members, two pilots and a third in a rear seat, successfully ejected from the aircraft, the French Air and Space Force said in a statement. They have been located and are unharmed, having received appropriate medical attention.
The area around the crash site is being secured. Authorities have reported no civilian casualties at this stage. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.
An air crash involving two Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France occurred on March 25, 2025, at around 15:35 local time during rehearsal exercises at Saint-Dizier 113 airbase in eastern France, according to a statement from French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
“An accident involving two Alpha Jets of the Patrouille de France during rehearsals has just occurred,” Lecornu said. “Emergency services are being mobilized,” he added, noting that efforts are underway in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
The incident reportedly took place during a formation flight, with the aerobatic team preparing for an upcoming public demonstration.
A video circulating on social media captures the moment of the collision: six jets are seen executing an aerial maneuver, trailing blue, white, and red smoke. Two of the aircraft appear to make contact mid-air, leading to a violent disintegration of both planes.
Deux avions de la patrouille de France se sont crashés non loin de Saint-Dizier. Les pilotes ont eu les temps de s’éjecter apparemment @afpfr #avion #crash #patrouilledefrance #saintdizier #villiersenlieu @AlertesInfos pic.twitter.com/yFgjhRip5M
— ludovic barbier (@ludovicbarbier5) March 25, 2025
As of this writing, the condition of the pilots remains unknown. Authorities have yet to release official information on casualties or possible damage on the ground.
L’avion de la patrouille de France qui s’écrase sur les silo de la société Câlin à saint dizier. pic.twitter.com/cnnkwrPcm1
— Claude (@babtoumechant) March 25, 2025
The Patrouille de France is the French Air and Space Force’s precision aerobatic demonstration team, founded in 1953. It comprises nine highly skilled pilots, who frequently perform at national events and international airshows. The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has yet to confirm whether upcoming appearances by the Patrouille de France will be postponed.
Colloquially known as the “Gadget” in France, the Alpha Jet (or Alphajet) is a two-seater twin-jet aircraft designed by Dassault Aviation and Breguet for training and close air support as part of a joint Franco-German program. It was used since 1979 by the French Air Force for the final training of its pilots, replacing the Fouga CM.170 Magister. Though training was transitioned to the Swiss-made Pilatus PC-21 in 2020, the Patrouille de France continues to fly the aircraft.
