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French Pilot Banned After Fatal Skydiving Accident

A French pilot has been banned from flying after a skydiver was fatally struck by the wing of the plane during a jump in a tragic incident dating back to July 2018. The pilot was employed by the Midi-Pyrénées Skydiving School Association at the time of the accident.

The pilot, whose name remains undisclosed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by the Montauban criminal court. On Tuesday, the court imposed a suspended sentence on the pilot. In addition, the skydiving school association has been fined 20,000 euros, with half of the amount, 10,000 euros, being suspended.

Reports suggest that the tragic incident unfolded when Nicolas Galy, the skydiver, was struck by the wing of the plane shortly after jumping from it. The court highlighted a lack of consultation regarding the trajectory of the aircraft between the pilot and the skydiver prior to the jump.

Emmanuelle Franck, the lawyer representing the victim’s relatives, emphasised the presence of “a lot of recklessness or negligence” during a hearing on 19 September. The president of the court in south-west France also noted a communication gap between the victim and the pilot.

Since the incident, safety measures have been reinforced, and mandatory briefings have been implemented to enhance communication and coordination between pilots and skydivers.

The verdict underscores the significance of stringent safety protocols and effective communication in aviation activities to prevent tragic accidents and uphold passenger safety.

Kiki Garba