A small two-seater Aermacchi MB339 C plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Nîmes Grande Provence Méditerranée airport, in Gard. The two people on board managed to eject. They would only be slightly injured. They were nevertheless transported to the Nîmes University Hospital for medical examinations.
The plane belongs to SDTS. This company based in Saint-Gilles, in the Gard, operates eleven aircraft, including nine Aermacchi MB339 C. These are training and ground attack aircraft, considered very maneuverable and versatile. It “benefits from solid recognized experience in the field of operational air training through Air-Air, Air-Ground or Air-Surface missions responding with the greatest realism to the requirements of the Armed Forces”, explains the company on its site, which collaborates in particular with the army.
Severe disruptions to flights to and from Nîmes
An outbreak of fire, which was quickly contained, required the intervention of firefighters. Airport traffic was stopped. Flights to London and Charleroi are currently delayed, as well as the arrival of the flight from Charleroi.
The causes of the accident are currently unknown. The plane could have hit a bird as it took off. The Bureau of Investigation and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety will be in charge of the investigation.