Translation from an official report from the defense ministry's website :
"Crash of two Rafales: the minister goes on site"
"In the aftermath of the crash of two Rafale Marine [navy verision], which occured thursday 24th of septembre at around 6 pm, off the city of Perpignan, the defense minister said he 'immediatly make sure that all the necessary means have been put into action to lead the search of the two pilots.'"
"Following the deployment of a number of maritime and air assets, a pilot has already been found safe and sound. The search continues to find the second one. The rescue operation is coordinated by the maritime prefecture of the Mediteranean zone."
"The defense minister has put into motion an inquiry to find out the origin and causes to the crash. He also announced to have 'full confidence in the naval air community and more specifically to test pilots' and will go on site 'as soon as possible.'"
Another news item on the same website:
"Two Rafales of the Marine Nationale crash into the sea"
"Thursday 24th of septembre at around 6 pm, two fighter aircrafts of the Marine Nationale, Rafales from the Charles de Gaulle, crashed into the Mediteranean sea about 20 miles east from Perpignan, as they were approaching the aircraft carrier at the end of their mission."
"The rescued pilot was evacuated by helicopter onto the carrier. This pilot is safe and sound. His medical status is not a matter of concern. He was taken care of by the medical service on board the carrier and he is presently kept under observation."
"The two aircrafts were taking part in a test flight aimed at validating the operational capabilities of the naval air group. They did not carry weapons."
"The Charles de Gaulle cruised in the Mediteranean sea after having left Toulon the 21st of septembre. Her air group was made of 4 Rafale, 3 Super Étendard Modernisé, 3 helicopters (2 Dauphin and an Alouette III)."
"A number of air and maritime assets are deployed at the moment in the area to search for the second pilot. The rescue operation is coordinated by the maritime prefecture of the Mediteranean maritime zone and goes on to find the second pilot."
Navair Ping
Nuts - prayers out for the second pilot.
I hate hearing about these things - especially now that the French government is more manly than ours in D.C.
Gallic ping.
Prayers for the pilot that is still missing.
Perhaps the tugs that normally pull the Charles de Gaulle were moving at a different speed.
Ouch! €70 million each, not to mention the lost pilot.
Did they collide with one another or what?
Crashing alone into the sea is never a good thing. Prayers up that the other pilot is found alive and well.
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Prayers for the pilots. I have no doubt of their patriotism or courage.
Prayers up for the missing pilot.
I hate to say this but if they went down together and they only found one pilot, the other one is probably still in the plane or drowned after getting out. Not much information to go on(as it should be with any military event until investigation is complete). I hope and pray he is alright.
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Having served on US carriers and seeing planes and pilots lost at sea, there is nothing funny in this story.
PS: Viva la France!
/mark