A fighter jet crashed in eastern France, killing at least one person, the French armed forces announced today.
The military aircraft, a Mirage 2000D, was returning from a mission when it crashed late last night, the Ministry of Defense stated.
The aircraft’s crew consisted of a pilot and a weapons systems officer from the French Air and Space Force.
One body has been found, while the search for the other crew member is still ongoing.
The accident occurred near the town of Rozéville, about 18 kilometers northwest of Nancy. The wooded area where the plane crashed was searched throughout the night despite adverse weather conditions.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.
The aircraft was stationed at the nearby Nancy-Ochey air base, known as Base 133. Colonel Ludovic Hibert, the base commander, said that the weapons systems officer was an experienced serviceman who was flying with a young pilot.
The accident occurred as the plane, returning from a night training mission to the base, was in the final phase of its landing approach.
The Mirage 2000D is specialized for ground attack missions. This two-seat aircraft is designed to operate in complex conditions, the ministry stated.
It is used to support conventional air operations and military power projection missions.
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