French army general dies along with couple in their 60s as plane crashes into residential area
A French army general has died after the plane he was piloting went down and crashed into a residential area, also killing a couple onboard.
The tragic air disaster occurred shortly before 4pm on Friday in Champhol, a town in central France.
The unnamed 'seasoned and experienced' pilot was a 77-year-old former army general, while the couple onboard the light aircraft were a man and a woman in their sixties, the Chartres Public Prosecutor, Frederic Chevallier, said.
No homes in the area were affected, with Chevallier suggesting that 'the pilot likely prevented a greater tragedy by avoiding the houses', but said that a parked car had been damaged in the crash.
The devastating accident is believed to have occurred around three minutes after take-off, according to local media.
Initial investigations suggest that the aircraft executed a turn that was probably too tight.
The prosecutor said that the plane made a 'sudden turn' before making a 'rapid descent' towards a 'low wall in a garden' before crashing and coming to a stop.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash and tried to resuscitate the victims, who were all pronounced dead at the scene.
The light aircraft belonged to the Chartres Metropole aerodrome flying club.
An investigation to determine the causes of the crash is currently underway.
The jet incident comes after the Air India tragedy that left at least 270 dead earlier this month.
The passenger plane bound for London Gatwick crashed into a medical college after takeoff on June 12 in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad and killed 241 of the 242 passengers on board and dozens more on the ground.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, received treatment at a local hospital, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two.
His seat was placed right next to the emergency door, which he says came off when the plane hit the ground.
Astonishing footage taken near the crash site showed Mr Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment.
There were 53 British national on board Flight AI171 when it crashed into a residential area near the airport, as well as 159 nations, seven Portuguese citizens and a Canadian.
The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash.
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The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘An absolute steal': supermarket croissants, tasted and rated by Felicity Cloake
Until the age of almost 30, I was largely indifferent to croissants, primarily because, despite all the time I'd spent in France, I'd tried a squashy industrial example sometime in the 1990s and decided they weren't worth the effort. When I finally tasted a croissant fresh from a bakery, out of politeness more than anything else, the flakes fell from my eyes, and a love affair was born. Since then, I've made up for lost time – in fact, I wrote an entire book based around the idea of cycling across France rating croissants, and judged the inaugural Isigny Sainte-Mère Best Croissant Competition UK. But I still steer clear of the supermarket variety wherever I am in the world, so this tasting was a baptism of fire for me. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. My usual croissant-judging system, out of 10, has had to be adapted for the Filter's rating system, but the criteria remain the same: I place little weight on appearance, because some of the flabbiest, most disappointing-looking croissants I've encountered have been the most delicious and, conversely, some perfect-looking beauties have turned out to taste of nothing. Personally, I favour an all-butter croissant, because I like them to taste of butter, and preferably that slightly sweet French butter; if you have to add more on top, or indeed jam, cheese, or Nutella, they've not used enough in the dough. Ideally, the little paper bag should be translucent with grease by the time you get it to the cafe seat where you intend to demolish it in the company of a cafe creme. That said, I'm not averse to the slightly more savoury, bready British style, either, so long as it's done well. Texture-wise, though, I'm aware that a technically perfect croissant should be made up of many airy layers of pastry; I prefer them a little squidgy in the middle and shatteringly crisp at the ends and underneath. After all, if a croissant doesn't leave you covered in buttery crumbs, you're doing it wrong. Not that I'm fussy, of course. £1.30 each in store★★★★★ I'm always a bit suspicious of big croissants – what are they trying to make up for? – but I can see the flakes coming off this one as I remove it from the bag. It's even authentically squashed, as if put in there warm from the oven. Shatteringly crisp ends, lovely, damp, elastic crumb and a savoury, even salty flavour that seems to be characteristic of British croissants. It doesn't taste French, but it is delicious – I'd definitely buy this again. 59p each in store ★★★★☆ A clumsily large croissant with a mildly off-putting matt finish, like a pair of American tan tights, but a prime example of how you should never judge by appearances, particularly when it comes to pastry. Inside lurk some very respectable layers and a decent, if fairly neutral buttery flavour. It's also an absolute steal. £1.30 each★★★★☆ If I'd been told there was a French interloper here, I'd have picked out this glossy, handsomely layered chap as the most likely candidate. It's a bit dry inside, sadly, but it has excellent lamination and they've nailed that authentically French flavour, with the delicate sweetness of good unsalted butter. £1.75 for two★★★★☆ This one has a spray tan worthy of Love Island (I suspect egg wash), and though it has lost a bit of definition in the oven, a few layers are evident on the outside. Unfortunately, I cut it in half to discover an enormous hole in the middle, which feels like a technical fault or a swizz, because what I can taste is actually really rather good. Faintly sweet and subtly buttery, with crunchy, if dry ends, and what remains of an elastic interior. Feels like it has potential, hence the charitable rating. £1 each in store ★★★☆☆ A medium croissant, with a pleasant colour and a classic, flaky appearance. It's not bad at all texture-wise – the ends are delicious and a few layers are evident in the middle – but it's a bit dull and could do with a pinch of salt. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion £1.75 for two★★★☆☆ Looks a bit deflated, with a dull finish and not much in the way of layering visible. The flavour actually isn't bad – slightly yeasty and sweet – but the insides are fluffy like a bloomer, rather than rich and springy. Not unpleasant, you understand; just not what I look for in a croissant. £2.38 for four★★★☆☆ Another one to have been given an egg wash glow-up, though I won't hold it against it, because it wears it well, with decent definition and an airy, honeycomb centre. That said, 'exceptional' might be a little hubristic to describe this fluffy, inoffensively bland number. 59p each in store ★★☆☆☆ A nice-looking, golden brown pastry (if rather solid, like a toy croissant). There are some promising-looking layers on the outside that don't translate into much in the way of lamination in the middle, and it has an odd, pronounced, sweet yeasty flavour that reminds me slightly of rooibos tea. Unfortunately, I don't like rooibos tea. 50p each in store ★★☆☆☆ A small croissant, which is not necessarily a criticism; if it contains enough butter, small can be perfectly formed. I don't doubt some has been involved in the manufacturing process, but sadly I can't detect it in the finished product. The ends are so dry I have to reach for a glass of water, while the middle is bready, with a faintly sweet, but fairly neutral flavour. Butter and jam would be required to eat a whole one. £2.25 for six at Tesco£2.25 for six at Waitrose★☆☆☆☆ All the definition of a croissant emoji, but none of the colour, this reminds me of a runty version of a croissant-shaped dog toy I used to keep finding in my bed. No layers, just soft, chewy dough with a weirdly caramelised flavour. Tastes long-life, processed and unpleasant – I don't get the point of these, sorry. They remind me of something you might be given for breakfast on a long-haul flight, right down to the individual plastic wrapping.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Ex-French army general and couple die in horror plane crash as jet smashes into residential area minutes after takeoff
THREE people have died after a plane crashed into a French neighbourhood just three minutes after taking off. A former army general, 77, and a couple on board the Cessna 172 tourist plane all died in the tragic air disaster. 5 5 5 The experienced pilot lost control of the small aircraft as it plummeted towards a residential area in Champhol, a town in central France. All three died upon impact, public prosecutor Frederic Chevallier confirmed. The crash took place shortly before 4pm on Friday. Chevallier added that the couple onboard the light aircraft were a man and a woman in their 60s. The veteran French army general, who was piloting the plane, was praised for how he managed to avoid any civilian casualties on the ground when the plane spiralled down. Chevallier says he believes "the pilot likely prevented a greater tragedy by avoiding the houses". The only other damage caused was to a parked car in the area. Initial investigations say the aircraft is believed to have made a sharp turn that is said to have been too tight to perform. The lead prosecutor said the plane made a "sudden turn" before suffering a "rapid descent". It then smashed into a "low wall in a garden" and came to a sudden stop. Two killed and one injured in plane crash after pilot lost control while trying to dodge a turtle on the runway The light aircraft was owned by the Chartres Metropole aerodrome flying club. An investigation into the exact cause of the crash is still ongoing. It comes as another life was claimed when a small plane crashed near Boston. The Mooney M20 aircraft hit a street close to Beverly Regional Airport in Massachusetts at around 8.45am with one other critically injured. Another tragic plane accident saw two people killed after a small private plane crashed when a pilot lifted a wheel to dodge a turtle on the runway. The pilot and a passenger were killed when the plane collided with a wooded area near Sugar Valley Airport in North Carolina and burst into flames on June 3. A second passenger was severely injured in the crash. A communications officer looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that the reptile was on the runway as he prepared to land. To avoid hitting the turtle, the pilot lifted the right wheel of the Universal Stinson 108 plane and pushed the throttle forward - leading to the serious crash. 5 5
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
French army general dies along with couple in their 60s as plane crashes into residential area
A French army general has died after the plane he was piloting went down and crashed into a residential area, also killing a couple onboard. The tragic air disaster occurred shortly before 4pm on Friday in Champhol, a town in central France. The unnamed 'seasoned and experienced' pilot was a 77-year-old former army general, while the couple onboard the light aircraft were a man and a woman in their sixties, the Chartres Public Prosecutor, Frederic Chevallier, said. No homes in the area were affected, with Chevallier suggesting that 'the pilot likely prevented a greater tragedy by avoiding the houses', but said that a parked car had been damaged in the crash. The devastating accident is believed to have occurred around three minutes after take-off, according to local media. Initial investigations suggest that the aircraft executed a turn that was probably too tight. The prosecutor said that the plane made a 'sudden turn' before making a 'rapid descent' towards a 'low wall in a garden' before crashing and coming to a stop. Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash and tried to resuscitate the victims, who were all pronounced dead at the scene. The light aircraft belonged to the Chartres Metropole aerodrome flying club. An investigation to determine the causes of the crash is currently underway. The jet incident comes after the Air India tragedy that left at least 270 dead earlier this month. The passenger plane bound for London Gatwick crashed into a medical college after takeoff on June 12 in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad and killed 241 of the 242 passengers on board and dozens more on the ground. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, received treatment at a local hospital, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two. His seat was placed right next to the emergency door, which he says came off when the plane hit the ground. Astonishing footage taken near the crash site showed Mr Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment. There were 53 British national on board Flight AI171 when it crashed into a residential area near the airport, as well as 159 nations, seven Portuguese citizens and a Canadian. The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash.
