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Sarkozy confirms two Rafale's collision

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-29 00:47

PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed Monday that the two fighter jets crashed into Mediterranean last Thursday were doomed by collision and the search for the second pilot faces great difficulties.

A French Rafale jet fighter is seen in flight in this file picture released by the French Navy. [Agencies]

"Two French navy's Rafale encountered a collision on the night of Sept. 24 over the sea east of the French city Perpignan," Sarkozy said in a statement.

"One of the two aviators was found rapidly while the search for the other was unfortunately fruitless, " the statement said.

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The two Rafale jets plunged into the Mediterranean Sea on the way back to their aircraft carrier after a test flight at 6:00 pm local time on Sept. 24.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin ordered investigation into the accident and presumed the possibility of a collision on Friday.

As France's most advanced military innovations, the troubled transsonic fighter jets are favorites among Brazilian military purchasing list. The Brazilian Air Force has requested French authorities to provide access to the investigation once its results were revealed.