What happened on Tuesday around 5 p.m. off Biscarosse (Landes)? The student pilot of a private plane fell into the water while the aircraft was in difficulty. He was still wanted this Wednesday morning. Here is what we know about this case.
An airplane in difficulty
Tuesday at 4:53 p.m., Etel’s Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS) was informed “of the emergency landing of a” Piper “type tourist plane on a beach near Biscarosse (Landes) », Indicates this Wednesday the
Atlantic Maritime Prefecture (Premar). The aircraft was in instructional flight with a student pilot and his instructor.
The passenger jumps into the water
During the emergency maneuver, the student pilot, a native of Charente-Maritime, “fell into the water” while the aircraft was located about one hundred meters from the coast, for about fifty meters. height. According to the first elements of the investigation, he jumped into the ocean. The instructor, a member of the Aquitaine seaplane club in Biscarrosse, managed to land in extremis on the beach, located on a military estate, the
missile test center.
Significant resources deployed
As soon as the alert was received, an important device was triggered to find the man who fell into the water. The Caracal helicopter from the 120 air base in Cazaux (Gironde) and the Ecureuil 40 helicopter from the gendarmerie are engaged, as well as a SNSM canoe from Lège-Cap-Ferret, a ship, and a patrol of sappers. firefighters. “After several hours of unsuccessful searches, the wanted victim cannot be found,” continues the maritime prefecture. In the absence of new elements, the research devices at sea by directed means were lifted at 9 p.m. by the High Authority for Air Defense. “
An investigation, carried out by the Mont-de-Marsan prosecutor’s office, was opened and entrusted to the Bayonne Air Force gendarmerie brigade. Research resumed on Wednesday.