A pilot died on Friday (local time) after his jet, which he was flying during an airshow in France, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, leaving spectators stunned, authorities said.
The body of the 65-year-old pilot was recovered, according to the local authority responsible for the Var region in southern France. An inquiry was on to determine the cause of the crash that occurred near Lavandou.
The airshow was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the allied dorces' D-Day landings in Provence. A video capturing the crash went viral on social media, showing the Fouga Magister jet going off balance and losing altitude, before plunging into the sea.
The Fouga Magister jet was built after World War II and was used by the French army as a trainer jet and aerobatic plane for several years. The jet has no ejection seat.
The airshow also had the French Air Force's 'Patrouille de France' aerobatics team participating in it. However, the team decided to cancel its demonstration at the event following the crash.
The incident occurred two days after two military personnel died when two French military jets rammed each other in eastern France.
