Rafale detects fuel leak on Miami-bound business jet, prompting diversion to Paris

A Bombardier Global 6000 headed for Miami diverted to Paris-Le Bourget Airport on August 12, 2026, after a French fighter pilot spotted fuel leaking from its wing, the French Air and Space Force's Air Defense and Air Operations Command (CDAOA) said.

According to the command, a Rafale had taken off from Air Base 118 Mont-de-Marsan for a routine training exercise known as a Tango Scramble, in which crews rehearse interception procedures with no real emergency involved. Such drills happen daily, the command noted.

The Rafale was shadowing the business jet at 40,000 feet as it flew west across France when the pilot noticed something odd: a trail forming beside the aircraft's normal contrails, thinner than usual and fading faster. The pilot moved closer to investigate. He reported smelling kerosene and traced it to fuel escaping from the jet's right wing.

The business jet's crew was informed of the finding. They had initially planned to continue on to Miami, but after being alerted, they notified air traffic control and turned the aircraft around, heading north to land safely at Le Bourget.

Flight tracking data reviewed by aviation media identified the aircraft as N1244, a Global 6000 registered to Leon Global Express. No injuries or further complications were reported in connection with the diversion.