Mishap At 2,500 Feet: 64-Year-Old Man Accidentally Ejects From A Fighter Jet

A defense manufacturing company trip to a military airbase in France last month led to a harrowing ordeal for one employee. According to an accident report filed with the French government, a 64-year-old man accidentally ejected himself from a Dassault Rafale B fighter jet at 2,500 feet after experiencing an extreme amount of stress and panic.

Prior to the incident, the man had reportedly been surprised when his colleagues revealed that they had set him up with a ride in the military aircraft. He had never before expressed interest in any sort of aviation experience.

Investigators, using a watch the man was wearing, determined that his heart rate had reached 136-142 beats per minute prior to the flight. The jet plane took part in a training exercise with two other crafts, reaching speeds of 870 mph. The man eventually grabbed for something to hold onto and accidentally pushed the ejector button.

The man ended up falling through the air without a helmet, which had not been properly secured. He safely landed in a field near the French-German border with the help of a parachute.

The elderly employee was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Due to the casual nature of the flight, the man had only been examined by a doctor and declared fit to fly four hours before takeoff. Typically, passengers are vetted 7-10 days ahead of time.

The aircraft’s pilot was unaffected by the incident, aside from a few minor facial injuries.