(French) Army Plane Crashes in Southwestern France

Yahoo! News ^ | 12/17/2003 | Reuters

[yonif]

PARIS (Reuters) - A military plane carrying an unspecified number of paratroopers crashed in southwestern France on Wednesday, a military spokesman said.

It was not immediately clear whether anyone was killed or what caused the crash. French LCI television said at least 10 people were on board at the time of the crash.

France Info radio said police at the crash site had discovered at least two bodies but the report was not independently confirmed.

"We don't know the number of casualties at this stage," the spokesman said.

He said the plane involved was a CASA transporter capable of carrying up to 40 parachutists.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Added "(French)" in front of title to avoid needlessly alarming U.S. Army family members. Since the article does not specify nationality of soldiers, we'll stick with this assumption until more info is obtained.

[KS Flyover]

Seven killed in French army plane crash
Wed 17 December, 2003 12:50

TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) - A French army plane has crashed in the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France, killing seven soldiers, authorities say.

The crash happened during a training exercise in the rugged Ariege region near the Spanish border, a statement released by President Jacques Chirac's office said on Wednesday.

"The president has learnt with great sadness of the crash of a transport aircraft that cost the lives of seven soldiers," the statement said.

"This accident is a tragic reminder of the tough demands of the army profession and the risks it involves," it added.

A team of paratroopers being carried by the small Casa CN 235 transport plane managed to jump out before the crash, a spokesman for civil security authorities in Paris said, adding that those killed appeared to be crew members.

Local authorities said police and rescue services using helicopters had found six bodies and were looking for the seventh.

"It is a mountain area which is very prone to accidents," said the spokeswoman.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=424217§ion=news

[Rokke]

That is a shame. It says the paratroopers jumped before the plane crashed, but a CASA 235 sure doesn't carry a crew of 7. Also, the spokeswoman's statement about the mountainous area being prone to accidents would imply the aircraft flew into a mountain. Anyone who survived that, wouldn't need a parachute to jump the few inches from the wreckage to the ground.

[Heff]

No doubt, they were trying to surrender.

Still very sad.

[Far Right Of Left]

TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) - A French army plane has crashed in the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France, killing seven soldiers, authorities say.
With the crash goes their entire air force & half of their army....

[11Bush]

The plane surrendered to gravity.

[fourdeuce82d]

French or not, they were fellow paratroopers, who volunteered to go in harm's way. prayers for their families.