A pilot died on Friday (local time) when his plane, which he was flying during an air show in France, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, officials said.
The body of the 65-year-old pilot has been recovered, according to the local authority responsible for the Var region in southern France. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, which occurred near Lavandou.
The air show was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing of the Allied aircrew in Provence. A video capturing the accident went viral on social media, showing the Fouga Magister jet losing balance and altitude before crashing into the sea.
The Fouga Magister jet was built after World War II and was used by the French military for many years as a trainer jet and aerobatic aircraft. This jet has no ejection seat.
The French Air Force’s ‘Patrouille de France’ aerobatics team also participated in this air show. However, after the accident, the team decided to cancel its performance at the event.
The incident came two days after two French military jets collided in eastern France, killing two servicemen.
(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)