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Two Killed in Deltaplane Crash at Coupe Icare

The Grenoble prosecutor has opened an inquiry led by the air transport gendarmerie brigade to establish how the two-seat craft struck a cliff seconds after launch.

Overview

  • A two-seat deltaplane crashed into a cliff seconds after takeoff at the La Sapinière site, killing the pilot and his passenger.
  • The accident occurred around 08:00 on Sunday, September 20, during the final day of the 53rd Coupe Icare.
  • The pilot was reported as a known, experienced Franco-British flyer in his forties and his tandem passenger also died on impact.
  • The deltaplane's reserve parachute deployed but did not prevent the collision and the Peloton de gendarmerie de haute montagne (PGHM) was sent to the scene.
  • Organizers suspended aerial activities for the day, opened a crisis cell, and the prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause.