Pilot Dies in Plane Crash at French Air Show

A pilot participating in a Second World War air show tragically lost his life when his Fouga Magister aircraft crashed into the sea near Le Lavandou, close to Saint Tropez, on Saturday. French authorities confirmed that the pilot's body was recovered later in the evening following an extensive search operation. The incident occurred during a commemorative air show marking the 80th anniversary of the Provence Landings, with videos circulating on social media capturing the moment the aircraft plummeted into the water shortly before 5 PM local time. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying at high speed before it narrowly missed several boats in the area. Rescuers initially feared the pilot might be trapped inside the aircraft, as the Fouga Magister does not feature an ejection seat. The local authority, Prefect du Var, announced the recovery of the pilot's body in a statement released that evening. The aircraft, which served in the French air force from 1964 to 1980, was performing just before a demonstration by the elite Patrouille de France aerobatic team. The French Air Force clarified that the crash did not involve their aerobatic team but rather an aircraft owned by an association. This incident follows a recent tragedy in which two French pilots died in a mid-air collision involving Rafale fighter jets, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety. Emergency services, including the Var Departmental Fire and Rescue Service and the Maritime Gendarmerie, were deployed to the crash site to assist in the recovery efforts.