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The accident aircraft : Fouga Magister No. 480, registered F-AZQC (Photo Laurent Salard / Air Spot Photos (CC BY-SA 4.0))

Disaster struck on Monday, May 11, 2026, in the Seine-et-Marne region of France when a vintage Fouga CM.170 Magister crashed shortly after takeoff from Melun-Villaroche Airport. Both occupants of the aircraft lost their lives.

The accident occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. in a wooded area located between Fontainebleau and Chailly-en-Bière. According to several witnesses at the scene, a loud explosion was heard before a fireball appeared in the sky, followed by the aircraft crashing into the forest.

The aircraft involved was Fouga CM.170 Magister F-AZQC, serial number 480, operated by the Fouga 480 association based at Melun-Villaroche.

Emergency services quickly converged on the crash site, which was difficult to access due to the dense vegetation. Upon arrival, rescue personnal were only able to confirm the deaths of both occupants, while a small vegetation fire caused by the impact was quickly brought under control on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest.

The 53-year-old pilot held a professional CPL license and reportedly had approximately 15,000 flying hours according to the first information released by the Melun public prosecutor’s office. The passenger, who came from northern France, was taking part in an experience flight aboard the aircraft.

The investigation has been entrusted to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA), assisted by the Air Transport Gendarmerie. Investigators will now work to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. Possible causes under consideration include mechanical failure, pilot error, or a bird strike.

We extend our deepest condolences, prayers, and thoughts to the families and loved ones of the victims of this tragic accident.

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The P-51D Mustang “Charlotte’s Chariot II”, registered N251CS (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The warbird community is mourning the loss of Dan Fordice, who was killed on May 12, 2026, in the crash of his North American P-51D Mustang “Charlotte’s Chariot II” near Tallulah-Vicksburg Regional Airport, Louisiana. Fordice was a respected warbird pilot and philantropist. The circumstances of the crash are currently under investigation by the NTSB.

A veteran of both the U.S. Army and the Mississippi Army National Guard, Dan Fordice was well known within the historic aviation world for his passion for preserving the memory of the Second World War through flying aircraft and educational projects. He served on the General Staff of the Commemorative Air Force and founded the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, dedicated to preserving veterans’ stories and aviation history.

Fordice’s Mustang, “Charlotte’s Chariot II”, was a North American P-51D-30-NA Mustang carrying serial number 44-74977.  After leaving USAF service, it was registered N5448V by Wayne Clevenger in 1957. It was owned by several owners until 2009, when it was purchased by Fordice and re-registered N251CS and repainted as “Charlotte’s Chariot II”, a Mustang flown during World War II by Lieutenant Cary Salter, a pilot of the 354th Fighter Group.

Lieutenant Cary Salter, a pilot of the 354th Fighter Group with his P-51 Mustang (FT-π), serial number 44-63747) nicknamed “Charlotte’s Chariot II”. (Photo USAAF via Cary Salter)

Friends and fellow pilots remembered Fordice as a passionate advocate for veterans and historic aviation. In a statement released after the accident, the Commemorative Air Force described him as “a passionate warbird pilot” who believed historic aircraft were “powerful tools for education, remembrance, and honoring freedom.”

The loss of both Dan Fordice and “Charlotte’s Chariot II” is a tragic reminder of the risks involved in operating vintage aircraft, even in the hands of experienced pilots. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to Dan Fordice’s family, friends, and the many members of the warbird community who knew and flew alongside him.

Sources :

• AVWeb | P-51 Mustang Pilot Killed In Louisiana Accident
• Commemorative Air Force | Remembering Dan Fordice Warbird Pilot and Patriot
• Warbirds Wiki | P-51D (Charlotte’s Chariot II) 44-74977
• Vicksburg Post | Dan Fordice killed in plane crash in Tallulah

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“Randy” Cunningham (right) and William P. Driscoll (left) in the cockpit of a McDonnell F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron 96 (VF-96), May 1972. (Photo San Diego Air & Space Museum archives)

Randy “Duke” Cunningham, former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and Vietnam War ace, passed away on August 27, 2025, at the age of 83. He was one of the most recognized American aviators of the conflict, credited with five aerial victories that made him the first U.S. Navy ace of the Vietnam War.

Born on December 8, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, Cunningham entered naval aviation in the 1960s and was eventually assigned to fighter squadron VF-96 “Fighting Falcons” aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. Flying the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II with his radar intercept officer (RIO), Lieutenant (jg) William P. “Irish” Driscoll, Cunningham quickly proved his skill in combat.

Cunningham and Driscoll scored their first victory on January 19, 1972, when they shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-21 over Laos. This was followed by a second victory against a MiG-17 on May 8, 1972.

On May 10, 1972, one of the most dramatic aerial combats of the war took place. In the course of two missions that day, Cunningham and Driscoll downed three enemy fighters — a MiG-17 in the morning, and later two more MiG-17s during a fierce dogfight over Hanoi.

Cunningham and Driscoll flew this F-4J Phantom II of VF-96, radio callsign “Showtime 100” to score three aerial victories. (Photo US Navy)

These actions brought Cunningham’s total to five confirmed victories, making him and Driscoll the first U.S. Navy aces of the Vietnam War and the only naval aces of that conflict. They were forced to eject later that day after their Phantom was struck by a surface-to-air missile during the return from the second mission. Rescued at sea, both men survived.

For his valor, Cunningham was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart. Following his combat tour, he became a Top Gun instructor, passing on his experience to a new generation of navy fighter pilots. His wartime record, and particularly his May 1972 missions, made him one of the most publicized American pilots of the era.

After his retirement from the navy, Cunningham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990, representing California’s 50th district. His political career ended in 2005 when he resigned after pleading guilty to corruption charges, for which he served more than seven years in prison.

Despite the controversies that marked his later life, Cunningham will be remembered within aviation history circles as a skilled combat pilot and one of the few American jet aces.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of Randy “Duke” Cunningham.

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Don McPherson in the cockpit of an F6F Hellcat. (Photo US Navy)

A chapter in aviation history was closed on August 14, 2025, when Donald Melvin McPherson passed away at the age of 103. Don McPherson, the last living American ace of World War II, leaves behind not just a legacy of aerial valor but also one of faith, humility, and heartfelt community dedication.

Born on May 25, 1922, in Adams, Nebraska, Donald “Don” McPherson joined the U.S. Navy in early 1943 through the V‑5 Aviation Cadet Program. He earned his wings by August 12, 1944, embarking soon after on a tour of duty aboard the USS Essex as part of Fighter Squadron VF‑83, piloting the famed Grumman F6F Hellcat.

By April 6, 1945, amid the chaos of the Battle of Okinawa, McPherson downed two Aichi D3A “Val” dive bombers. A month later, on May 4, he shot down three Yokosuka K5Y “Willow” floatplanes, thus acquiring the coveted title of ace.

He was decorated with three Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals, and later received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015.

Despite his wartime achievements, McPherson’s greatest wish was to be remembered not for his medals but as a man of faith. His daughter, Beth Delabar, emphasized that faith, family, and community marked the true pillars of his life.

After the war, back in Adams, Nebraska, he devoted himself to the local community. McPherson served as a rural mail carrier, farmer, Scoutmaster, youth baseball and softball coach, and leader in the United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the VFW. In honor of his and his wife’s commitment, the town named its ballfield McPherson Field after them.

At the time of his death, on August 14, 2025, McPherson was recognized by both the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum as the final surviving American ace of World War II.

His funeral on August 19 featured full military honors and a flyover, held shortly after a tribute at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum’s “Victory at Sea” event.

We would like to express our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Don McPherson.

Sources :

• America’s last living ace pilot from World War II dies at age 103 | ABC News

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The accident aircraft photographed in 2010 (Photo Jeff (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0))

A dramatic accident occurred on Friday, June 6 around 2:30 p.m. at Air Base 721 in Rochefort-Saint-Agnant, France. The Morane-Saulnier MS.733 F-AZXU crashed, resulting in the death of Alexandre Fritz, a former military pilot with 30 years of service.

He was performing a flight demonstration on the occasion of the graduation ceremony of the promotion class at the Non-Commissioned Officer Training School of the French Air and Space Force (EFSOAAE) in Rochefort.

A witness told Sud-Ouest that “the plane tried to turn around and suddenly stalled, from a height of 300 meters. Then there was a loud boom.” The exact causes of the accident are not yet known, and an investigation is underway.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Alexandre Fritz.

Sources:

• Rochefort: A pilot dies in a plane crash | Sud-Ouest (in French)
• A former MS.733 “Alcyon” training aircraft crashed near Rochefort air base | Opex360 (in French)

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The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The Spitfire Mk IX MK356 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crashed on Saturday, May 25, not far from its base at RAF Coningsby. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been revealed, tragically died in the accident.

According to witnesses, the Spitfire appeared to have suffered an engine failure.

The Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo © Alan Wilson under CC BY-SA 2.0 license)

Built in early 1944, the Spitfire Mk IX MK356 was returned to flight in 1997. This is the first fatal accident since the commemorative unit was established in 1957.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased pilot as well as to the members of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

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Bud Anderson and the Mustang “Old Crow” (Photo Roger Freeman Collection via American Air Museum in Britain)

The famous American pilot and ace, Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson, passed away on Friday, May 17th. He was 102 years old.

Born on January 13, 1922, in Oakland, United States, “Bud” Anderson served as a fighter pilot during World War II with the 357th Fighter Group and ended the war with a total of 16.25 victories obtained over the course of 116 combat missions, fought at the commands of his P-51D Mustang ‘Old Crow’.

Becoming a test pilot postwar, he was successively stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB and Edwards AFB before finishing his professional career at McDonnell Douglas.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and loved ones of Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson.

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The Curtiss P-40E AK753 at Oshkosh (Photo © Damien Defever)

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Paul Ehlen. He crashed yesterday afternoon in Curtiss P-40E Warhawk ‘AK753’, registered as N4420K and belonging to the Wings of the North Air Museum,  near Hamilton, Montana.

Paul Ehlenpilot and owner of the Curtiss P-40E (Photo via WOTN Facebook page)

Little information is available about this tragic event but the police announced that Paul Ehlen, the museum’s founder, was at the controls and did not survive the crash.

An investigation conducted jointly by the FAA and the NTSB has been launched to determine the causes of the accident.

The P-40E Warhawk was restored by Ron Fagen and his museum, the Fagen Fighter Museum, a few years ago and was acquired by the Wings of the North museum in July of last year.

The team at World Warbird News extend their deepest condolences to the family of Paul Ehlen, his friends, and all the members of the Wings of the North Air Museum.

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Brigadier General Charles McGee (Photo USAF)

Charles Edward McGee, born on December 7, 1919, passed away in his sleep on Sunday the 16th of January 2022, aged 102. A member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, he was deployed in  February 1944 with the 302nd Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, which was then based in Italy. Flying the P-39 Airacobra, P-47 Thunderbolt and finally the P-51 Mustang, he flew 137 combat missions and was credited with one aerial victory and a shared aerial victory before returning to the US in December 1944.

After the war, he remained with the US Air Force and flew another 100 combat missions in the Korean War, still flying the P-51 Mustang. During the Vietnam war, he commanded the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flying the RF-4C Phantom II and flew another 172 combat missions.

Charles McGee standing by his P-51 Mustang named “Kitten” in 1944 (Photo USAF)

His total of 409 combat missions is one of the highest ever achieved by an American pilot. He retired from the Air Force in 1973, after 30 years of active service. After his military retirement he occupied various positions in aviation and finished the college degree which he had to give up on during World War II.

McGee’s P-51C Mustang “Kitten” (Artwork Gaëtan Marie)

He married Frances Nelson in 1942. The couple had three children, ten grandchildren and (as of today) 14 great-grandchildren. Frances passed away in 1994. Mc Gee was Christian and very active with his local church.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Charles McGee’s family and friends.

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The T-28B Trojan BuNo 138179 registered OE-ESA (Photo C.J. van de Burgt (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

We have just learned of the tragic crash of North American T-28B Trojan BuNo 138179 registered OE-ESA of the Austrian Flying Bull collection. The aircraft crashed in Jickovice  in the Czech Republic as it was returning from the Leźno airshow in Poland.

T-28B Bu138179 OE-ESA in 2018 ( Photo Pavel Vanka (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) )

Pilot Rainer Steinberger was killed in the accident and his passenger was injured and hospitalized in Prague. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of Rainer Steinberger, and our best wishes to the survivor of this tragic accident.

Sources:

• ORF.at | Flugzeug der Flying Bulls abgestürzt, Pilot tot
• Denik.cz

21 June 2021 update : The name of the pilot and the status of the passenger have been made public.