Control loss, low-altitude flights, collisions: Should recent tourist and ULM plane crashes worry us?

Recent crashes involving small planes and ultralight aircraft in France and internationally are prompting concerns about the safety of amateur aviation. The incidents, occurring in quick succession, have led to public questioning of the reliability of planes flown by hobbyists.

One such crash on June 27 near Chartres resulted in three fatalities. This followed another incident in La Baule where two people died. Most recently, on Sunday, June 28, a plane crashed near Tomblaine, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, killing 11 people. These events highlight a perceived increase in accidents, drawing media attention to sensational incidents.

While commercial air travel in France is considered among the safest globally, with the last major incident involving a Germanwings Airbus A320 in 2015, the safety standards for amateur pilots differ significantly. Obtaining a light aircraft pilot license requires a minimum of 30 flight hours, and a private pilot license requires 50 hours of training, far below professional standards.

The article notes that the crash near Nancy, which killed 11 people, occurred in a grassy area near the Nancy-Essey aerodrome. The aircraft, registered in Germany, appeared to sustain damage before descending vertically. Authorities have launched a technical investigation, and the Interior Minister was en route to the scene.

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France is one of the safest countries.