Experienced Skydiver Decapitated by Wing of Plane, French Pilot Found Guilty
In a tragic incident that has shocked the skydiving community, an experienced skydiver was decapitated by the wing of a plane just seconds after he jumped. The incident has resulted in the French pilot being found guilty of manslaughter and operating an aircraft without a valid license.
During the trial, the president of a French court expressed concern over the lack of communication between the victim and the pilot, stating that it played a significant role in the fatal accident. The pilot was sentenced to 12 months in prison, which was suspended, and was also handed a one-year ban from flying.
Unsurprisingly, the victim’s family criticized the pilot for his recklessness or negligence. They were not alone in their condemnation, as the pilot was previously the chief pilot at a local parachuting school. As a result of the incident, the school was fined approximately $22,000, half of which was suspended.
The incident took place over the Bouloc-en-Quercy region, where the plane was carrying the victim, another wingsuit flyer, and several parachutists. Shockingly, it was revealed that the pilot and the wingsuit fliers had not discussed the trajectory of the aircraft prior to the jump.
The horrifying incident was caught on camera, as a camera mounted on another wingsuit flyer’s helmet recorded the entire sequence of events. This critical evidence likely played a pivotal role in the pilot’s conviction.
Despite the guilty verdict and the evidence against him, the pilot had previously defended himself, arguing that he did not believe he was at fault for the victim’s tragic death.
The shocking incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication and adherence to safety protocols in skydiving. As the skydiving community mourns the loss of a fellow enthusiast, it is hoped that this tragic event will lead to increased awareness and further measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
