French pilot dies after taking part in San Javier Air Show

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Olivier Masurel’s plane crashed while he was flying back from performing at the San Javier Air Festival

French pilot dies after taking part in San Javier Air Show

A Spanish-French aerobatic pilot, Olivier Masurel, died in a plane crash this Sunday May 5 after taking part in the San Javier Air Festival in the Region of Murcia.

According to the event organisers, the accident occurred during his return trip to the aerodrome of Matilla de los Caños (Valladolid), when a vulture hit his cockpit and caused the light aircraft he was flying to crash in the province Ciudad Real.

The plane caught fire on impact with the ground.

San Javier Air Show organisers said they were “devastated” by the news, and expressed their condolences. “We accompany his family and friends in this heartfelt loss, flying was his passion and this fatal accident has taken his life; fly high, dear Olivier.”

Olivier Masurel, 42, was one of the most recognised names on the international show flying scene. He was proclaimed Spanish Unlimited Champion at the Spanish Aerobatic Flying Championship, held last July at the La Caminera aerodrome (Torrenueva, Ciudad Real), and in the same competition he came second in the Freestyle category.

He was also a member of the National Aerobatic Flying Team and was one of the three pilots who represented Spain at the 31st World Aerobatic Flying Championship (FAI WAC 2022), where they won the Silver Medal for teams.

The aircraft he was piloting at the San Javier Air Show was an Extra 300 manufactured by the Extra Aircraft company in Germany, an aircraft with a light structure, powerful engine and capable of performing extreme manoeuvres.

The Spanish Aeronautical Cultural Association honoured Masurel by calling him an “audacious” and “highly sought-after” exhibition pilot who was able to “defy the limits of gravity”. They said “his passion for flight” made him “an inspiration for pilots and aviation enthusiasts”.

Image: Festival Aéreo de San Javier

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