Portuguese pilot participating in free training before a paramotor world championship crashed from approximately 50 meters altitude near Vernéville, France. The pilot, a highly skilled competitor sent by his national federation, died in the crash. Cause under investigation with medical issue being considered.
Low â plausible assumptions
A Portuguese paramotor pilot crashed during free training before the official opening of a world championship competition scheduled for August 24, 2025 at Chambley aerodrome. The crash occurred around 8:00 AM between the communes of Vernéville and Gravelotte in Moselle. The pilot was alone and fell from a height of approximately 50 meters. Weather conditions were reported as good with no particular meteorological concerns. Emergency services mobilized about 20 firefighters with seven intervention vehicles.
Cause remains under investigation by the BGTA (Brigade des Transports AĂ©riens). Weather conditions were reported as good. Given the pilot's high skill level (national team competitor), pilot error is considered less probable by the event organizer. Medical issue (malaise) is being considered as a possible cause. An autopsy was ordered. All equipment had been verified per competition standards.
ground
August 22, 2025
08:00:00
France
Vernéville, Moselle
Footlaunch
50 m
Portuguese pilot born in 1968 (approximately 57 years old), high-level competitor sent by national federation to participate in world championship at Chambley aerodrome. Experienced pilot.
ASN Report: An paramotor crashed under unknown circumstances in VernĂ©ville, Moselle. The pilot died in the crash. France Bleu Report (French): Un quinquagĂ©naire est mort dans le crash de son paramoteur, une sorte d'ULM, ce vendredi au dessus de VernĂ©ville, en Moselle. Il participait Ă un championnat du monde organisĂ© Ă Chambley. Un paramoteur s'est Ă©crasĂ© peu avant 8 heures ce vendredi 22 aout, entre les communes de VernĂ©ville et Gravelotte, indiquent les pompiers. Le pilote, un homme nĂ© en 1968, est dĂ©cĂ©dĂ©. Il Ă©tait seul Ă bord de ce petit engin Ă moteur. La victime participait Ă un championnat du monde de paramoteur organisĂ© sur l'aĂ©rodrome de Chambley, en Meurthe et Moselle. Ce pilote, de nationalitĂ© portugaise, effectuait un entrainement libre avant l'ouverture officielle de la compĂ©tition prĂ©vue ce samedi 24 aoĂ»t, qui rĂ©unit des pilotes de haut niveau, prĂ©cise Georges Humeau, prĂ©sident du club organisateur ULM Sports & Loisirs de Chambley. L'appareil est tombĂ© d'une hauteur d'une cinquantaine de mĂštres, pour une raison qui reste Ă dĂ©terminer : « Nous n'avions pas de souci de mĂ©tĂ©o particulier. L'hypothĂšse d'une erreur de pilotage n'est pas la plus probable au vu du niveau de nos pilotes, envoyĂ©s par leurs fĂ©dĂ©rations nationales respectives. Les conditions techniques, le matĂ©riel, tout est vĂ©rifiĂ©. Peut-ĂȘtre un malaise. Nous ne demandons pas de certificat mĂ©dical. L'enquĂȘte devra essayer de l'Ă©tablir » commente-t-il. Le parquet de Metz a ouvert une enquĂȘte en recherche des causes de la mort, confirme Thomas Bernard, procureur de la RĂ©publique adjoint. Elle est confiĂ©e aux gendarmes de la brigade des transports aĂ©riens (BGTA). Une autopsie doit avoir lieu. Une vingtaine de pompiers ont Ă©tĂ© mobilisĂ©s sur cet accident, Ă©quipĂ©s de sept engins d'intervention.