AAE Rafales collide mid-air
On 22 May 2022, on the second day of the air show at Base Aérienne 709 Cognac/Châteaubernard, two Armee de 'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, French Air and Space Force) Dassault Rafale C fighter aircraft from the Vautour Bravo display team touched each other mid-air during the tactical display.
Fortunately, both aircraft landed safely and the pilots were not hurt. However, debris damaged a house in the village of Gensac-la-Pallue, nine kilometers east of the air base. As can be seen on various photos on social media, the top of the Rafale's fin was severed. This part includes several sensors of the aircraft's SPECTRA electronic suite, including the missile launch detection system. The other aircraft damaged the canard and the fuselage on the right hand side.
Both aircraft are operated by Escadre de Chasse 3/30 (EC03.030) Lorraine from Base Aérienne 118 Mont-de-Marsan. The Vautour Bravo display team is relatively new as it was formed in January 2020. The lead aircraft, serial 122/30-GA, lost the top if its fin. The other Rafale is serial 110/30-IN.
Photos by/via ABY (twitter @Ansierra117) and Philippe Top-Action (twitter @top_force)