First Fatal Crash Prompts Safety Investigation of Certified Aircraft
Certified Elixir Aircraft experiences first fatal crash, killing two test pilots in France.
Event / Disaster
Elixir Aircraft Crash France
Two pilots died on October 1, 2026 when their Elixir Aircraft small civil aircraft crashed at Rochefort-Saint-Agnant airport in Charente-Maritime, France. The aircraft came to rest on an adjacent military air base. French air transport police are investigating the cause. This was the first fatal accident for the Elixir aircraft model since entering service in Europe in 2022.
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2026-10-01 to 2026-10-31 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 1 Oct, 17:50 UTC
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What happened
Civil aircraft crashes at Rochefort-Saint-Agnant airport in France, killing two pilots
A small civil aircraft operated by Elixir Aircraft, a company based in La Rochelle, crashed on October 1, 2026 near Rochefort-Saint-Agnant airport in Charente-Maritime. The aircraft went down at the end of the airport runway and came to rest within the perimeter of adjacent military air base 721. The two pilots aboard the aircraft were killed in the crash. No additional casualties or structural damage occurred at the military base.
French gendarmerie launches investigation into aircraft accident
The gendarmerie des transports aériens (air transport police) from Bordeaux-Mérignac was dispatched to the crash site to conduct preliminary investigations and determine the circumstances of the accident. The investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the crash.
Elixir Aircraft confirms crash and announces death of two test pilots
Elixir Aircraft, a Charente-Maritime aircraft manufacturer founded in 2014, confirmed the crash of one of its aircraft and announced the deaths of its two pilots. The company manufactures small twin-seat aircraft for training and recreational flying. President Arthur Leopold-Léger traveled to the accident site to coordinate with authorities. The company stated it is conducting investigations to determine the cause of the accident.
Elixir Aircraft aircraft experiences first fatal accident since certification
The Elixir aircraft, a certified twin-seat composite aircraft, experienced its first fatal accident since entering service. The aircraft was certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2020 and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2025. First deliveries began in Europe in 2022. The aircraft is equipped with standard safety features including an integrated ballistic recovery parachute system and explosion-resistant fuel tanks.
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