Body of pilot found after plane crashes into sea during air show

The body of a pilot who crashed into the sea at an air show in southern-eastern France has been found.

A rescue operation was launched to find the pilot following the crash at the Patrouille de France show off the coast of Le Lavandou at about 5pm.

The pilot, the only known person on board, was unable to eject from the spiralling craft as it lacked an ejection seat, the French newspaper Le Figaro reported.

Prefecture officials in a statement posted at about 6.10pm that the man’s remains have been recovered from the water.

‘The prefect of Var, the maritime prefect and the mayor of Lavandou present their condolences to the pilot’s family,’ the statement said.

Footage showed the jet roaring over sun-bathing spectators on the beach before crashing just near the harbour.

‘It did a stunt and came down in a dive before crashing at the end of the jetty at the port of Bormes,’ witness Gérard told France Bleu.

Another spectator, Jean, added: ‘We were waiting for it to come back up… Everyone is stunned.’

One witness said the plane was doing a stunt manoeuvre when it plummeted into the ocean (Picture: X/@MGovare)

The pilot is the only known person on board the craft (Picture: TikTok/@frenchiesontrip)

Patrouille de France was marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Provence during World War II (Picture: AFP)

The aircraft, a Fouga Magister, was the second plane involved in a public show commemorating the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Allied landing in Provence.

The Fouga Magister was used by the French army from 1964 to 1980. The pilot is not a member of the military.

Var prefecture officials said on X: ‘Rescue operations to find the pilot are currently being coordinated by CROSS Med.

‘Resources from the Var Departmental Fire and Rescue Service and the Maritime Gendarmerie are deployed in the area.’

An investigation into the incident has been launched, Toulon public prosecutor Samuel Finielz said.

The French Air and Space Force, which organised the commemorative show, confirmed that Patrouille de France had been cancelled.

‘The pilots and the entire Air and Space Army community are showing their solidarity in these difficult times,’ the army said on X.

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