A tragedy was almost averted this Tuesday, November 11. At around 4pm, a microlight with two people on board lost altitude and fell about 100 meters before crashing in a field. The impact caused a fire to occur. The incident occurred not far from Persan – Beaumont airport, in the city of Bernes-sur-Oise (Val-d’Oise).
Witnesses who saw the plane dive rushed to bring fire extinguishers to the burning engine. Their quick intervention enabled the fire to be extinguished before emergency services arrived.
The two occupants were then able to be extricated from the carcass and received first aid before being treated by firefighters. The pilot, aged 46, was transported as an emergency to Beaumont hospital center. His passenger, a 53-year-old, was referred to the Pontoise emergency room. Both were conscious and in stable condition in the afternoon.
A dramatic precedent
Investigators do not yet know the cause of this accident. In March 2021, Persan-Beaumont airport was the location of a deadly accident. A 58 year old man lost his life due to the control of his paramotor. A technical investigation by the Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA) has been opened.
Published the following year, the report cited the pilot’s history of dizziness and malaise, which may have contributed to the fatal loss of control. Obtaining a medical certificate without contraindications is mandatory to carry out a microlight trial in France.
