A French military investigation has concluded that pilot error caused the August 2024 midair collision between two Rafale fighter jets over France’s Lorraine region—an accident that killed both pilots.
Nearly two years after the crash, investigators say they found no evidence of a technical failure in the aircraft, focusing instead on the flight sequence and actions taken at the controls.
A rare, fatal collision during a Rafale flight
The crash triggered an immediate investigation by France’s Bureau enquêtes accidents défense (BEAD-air), the defense body that analyzes military aviation accidents.
Collisions between two aircraft of the same type during formation flying or exercises are considered exceptional for a modern fighter like the Rafale, which was designed with advanced pilot-assistance systems. The available information does not specify the exact maneuver underway at the moment of impact.
Investigators rule out technical failure, point to human error
The investigation dismissed the possibility of an aircraft malfunction and identified a piloting error as the primary cause of the tragedy. Such findings are common in military aviation accidents internationally, and they typically refocus attention on training procedures, managing close proximity in flight, and the conditions under which missions are carried out.
For the French Air and Space Force, losing two Rafales and their crews in a single accident represents both an operational and human blow. The Rafale is the backbone of France’s fighter fleet, and each aircraft plays a role in the force structure set by France’s multi-year military planning law.
If BEAD-air’s recommendations are made public, they could lead to changes in formation-flying procedures or the rules used during tactical training exercises.
