Skydiver, 21, died after hit by 'plane wing’ as full inquiry reveals miscommunication behind tragedy

A 21-year-old skydiver has died after colliding with an aircraft's rear wing during a jump in northern France.

Martin Brachet was killed instantly when he leapt from the plane at Frétoy-le-Château in May, striking the tail section of the aircraft.

The Frétoy skydiving club announced the loss on social media: "It was with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of Martin Brachet, which occurred this morning in the area."

An inquiry by the French Parachuting Federation has now revealed the fatal sequence of miscommunication that led to his death.

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According to Federation president Yves-Marie Guillau, two jumps had been scheduled that day at altitudes of 1,500 metres and 4,000 metres, respectively.

The pilot positioned the aircraft in jump configuration and activated the green light to signal the jumpmaster.

However, he was unaware that a second person intended to exit the plane.

Following the initial jump, the pilot switched off the green light authorising further jumps, increased throttle and pulled back on the controls to climb higher.

Mr Brachet received no warning that his clearance to jump had been withdrawn.

Mr Guillau described the impact as fatal: "He was hit in the neck by the plane's rear wing and died instantly."

"There was a blatant lack of communication that led to this young man's death.

"It's unbearable because everyone did their job. It came down to mere seconds."

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He added: "If the parachutist had exited while the plane was stable, it wouldn't have happened.

"If the pilot had known there was a second parachutist, it wouldn't have happened either."

Mr Guillau said: "There are so many 'ifs' It was a close call, it's doubly tragic."

In response to the incident, authorities have ordered the Frétoy skydiving club to cease operations until June 30.

Oise prefect Jean-Marie Caillaud said in a report: "Maintaining the facility's operation under the current conditions exposes users to a serious and immediate risk of harm to their physical safety."

The tragedy marks the second skydiving death in France within two years.

A 24-year-old man lost his life during a jump at the Pamiers-les-Pujols airfield in Ariège in September 2025.

Another skydiver died in 2023 after strong winds entangled his parachute.

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