On July 30, 2023, a Cessna 177 Cardinal aircraft (registration F-HKLA) ditched in the Mediterranean Sea just 600 meters off one of the most popular beaches on France’s Côte d’Azur. 

The light single-engine aircraft was performing a tourism flight along the French Riviera with a man and two women onboard. Around 10am local time, it suffered an engine failure and had to ditch in front of the town of Fréjus, roughly halfway between the popular resort towns of Cannes and Saint-Tropez. 

None of the plane’s occupants were injured and were brought ashore by the fire brigade. However, the aircraft sank before it could be recovered. 

The incident was witnessed by numerous bathers and holidaymakers from the nearby beaches. 

Footage of the aftermath of the ditching has also emerged on French social media channels.