Pilot dies after jet plunges into Mediterranean Sea during French air show, plane had no ejection seat

A pilot died on Friday (local time) after his plane, which he was flying during an air show in France, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, leaving onlookers stunned, authorities said.

The body of the 65-year-old pilot has been recovered, according to the local authority responsible for the Var region in southern France. An investigation was underway to determine the cause of the accident that occurred near Lavandou.

The air show was organized to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing of Allied ships in Provence. A video capturing the crash has gone viral on social media, showing the Fouga Magister plane going off balance and losing altitude before plunging into the sea.

The Fouga Magister aircraft was built after World War II and was used by the French military as a training and aerobatic aircraft for several years. The jet has no ejection seat.

The French Air Force “Patrouille de France” aerobatic team also participated in the air show. However, the team decided to cancel their demonstration at the event following the accident.

The incident came two days after two soldiers died when two French military planes collided in eastern France.

(with contributions from Reuters and AFP)