French Pilot Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter After Decapitating Skydiver
In a tragic incident that unfolded in July 2018, a French pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been banned from flying after colliding with a skydiver in mid-air, resulting in the decapitation of 40-year-old Nicolas Galy.
The incident occurred during a jump near Toulouse, where Galy, a wingsuit enthusiast, collided with the wing of the plane just 20 seconds after leaping from the aircraft.
The pilot was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by the Montauban criminal court on Tuesday. The Midi-Pyrénées Skydiving School Association, the pilots employer, was fined 20,000 euros, with half of the amount suspended.
Reports reveal that immediately after Galy's jump, the pilot initiated a descent towards the aerodrome tarmac without prior consultation on the plane's trajectory. Emmanuelle Franck, the lawyer representing the victim's relatives, emphasised the "recklessness or negligence" demonstrated during the incident.
It was highlighted in court that there was a lack of communication between Galy and the pilot regarding the flight path.
Security measures have since been reinforced, and mandatory briefings have been implemented to prevent such tragic accidents in the future. Le Parisien reported that the pilot was also found guilty of operating the aircraft without a valid aeronautical licence, resulting in a one-year ban from flying.
This incident underscores the importance of communication and adherence to safety protocols in aerial activities, prompting authorities to take steps to prevent similar mishaps.
