French Pilot Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter and Operating Aircraft Without Valid License
A tragic incident in the Bouloc-en-Quercy region of France has led to a French pilot being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and operating an aircraft without a valid license. The victim, Nicholas Galy, an experienced skydiver and aeronautical engineer, lost his life when he was decapitated by the wing of the plane.
The court ruling highlighted a lack of communication between Galy and the pilot, leading to the unfortunate collision. The pilot, previously the chief pilot at a local parachuting school, has been given a suspended sentence of 12 months and banned from flying for a year. In addition, the school has been fined, though half of the fine has been suspended.
The incident, which occurred in July 2018, shocked the aviation community. The pilot and the wingsuit fliers had failed to discuss the trajectory of the plane, a crucial oversight that ultimately led to the tragic collision with Galy. Shockingly, Galy’s death was captured on camera by another wingsuit flyer and used as evidence during the investigation.
During the court proceedings, the pilot defended himself, claiming that he did not believe he was at fault for the accident. However, the evidence presented by the prosecution proved decisive in the guilty verdict.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of clear communication and adherence to safety protocols in aviation. It also calls attention to the need for increased awareness and dialogue between pilots and skydivers to prevent such accidents from happening in the future.
This article originally appeared on Business Insider, highlighting the international attention garnered by this tragic incident. The hope is that by sharing this story, lessons can be learned and future lives can be saved through improved aviation practices.
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