On March 20, 2019, a 64-year-old man, who chose not to disclose his name, experienced a harrowing incident while aboard a two-seater Dassault Rafale B jet at the Saint-Dizier air base in northeastern France. The individual, taking a surprise joyride, was seated in the back of the aircraft. During the flight, as the jet reached around 1,300 feet (400 meters) and subjected the passenger to negative G-force, he began to float from his seat due to loose straps. In an attempt to stabilize himself, he inadvertently pulled the ejection seat activation lever and ejected himself from the aircraft.
The ejection system functioned as designed, and the man descended safely with a parachute, landing in a field near the German border. The incident was captured in a video that has since circulated widely.
Investigators released their report on April 6, 2020, detailing several code violations that contributed to the accident. Key issues included improperly secured straps, ignored medical warnings advising against exposing the man to the 3.7g force experienced at takeoff, and the fact that his medical examination was conducted just four hours before the flight, contrary to the usual ten-day prior protocol. Despite receiving safety instructions, the man was under significant stress, evidenced by his elevated heart rate of 136 to 142 beats per minute, which likely impaired his ability to retain critical information.
Fortunately, a malfunction in the ejection system prevented the pilot from also being ejected, allowing him to land the aircraft safely without the canopy. The pilot, a seasoned aviator with over 20,000 flight hours, managed to control the situation effectively.
The investigators concluded that the man’s stress and the overwhelming amount of information he had to process were the primary factors leading to the accidental ejection. This incident highlights the importance of proper pre-flight preparations, thorough safety equipment checks, and adequate stress management for passengers in high-performance military aircraft.