French pilot, whose plane chopped off skydiver's head, sentenced for midair manslaughter

A French pilot, unnamed in reports, has been handed a flying ban after decapitating a skydiver with the wing of a plane during a jump in July 2018. 

Alain C, 64, the pilot, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, received a suspended sentence from the Montauban criminal court. 

The victim, Nicolas Galy, was struck moments after leaping from the aircraft operated by the Midi-Pyrénées Skydiving School Association, resulting in a €20,000 fine for the organisation.

Reports indicate that the pilot initiated the plane's descent toward the aerodrome tarmac immediately after the drop, highlighting a lack of consultation on the trajectory with the skydiver. 

Legal proceedings revealed concerns about recklessness and negligence, emphasising the need for improved communication between pilots and jumpers. 

Following the tragedy, safety measures have been enhanced, and mandatory briefings have been implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.