1984-11-23: Transall C-160 (F209/F-RAGI) — French Air Force - Armée de l'Air — Carbes, France

7 fatalitiesCarbes, FranceFlight

Two French Air Force C-160 transport aircraft collided during a training exercise near Castres, resulting in the loss of both airframes and all onboard personnel.

What happened

During a scheduled training mission, two C-160 transport aircraft belonging to the French Air Force were conducting a joint exercise. One of the aircraft involved was identified by registration F156. While operating in the airspace near Toulouse-Francazal, the two planes engaged in a coordinated maneuver.

During the course of this exercise, the two aircraft collided mid-air. The impact caused both planes to crash into an open field situated in Carbes, which is located approximately 8 km northwest of Castres in the Tarn region. The accident resulted in the total destruction of both aircraft and the deaths of 13 crew members.

Findings

The precise circumstances surrounding the mid-air collision remain undetermined, as the exact sequence of events leading to the contact between the two aircraft has not been established.

Probable cause

The specific cause of the mid-air collision during the training exercise is currently unknown.