In a tragic incident that occurred in July 2018, a French pilot has been declared guilty of involuntary manslaughter for fatally striking a wingsuit flyer with the wing of his plane. Nicholas Galy, a seasoned skydiver and aeronautical engineer, lost his life just moments after leaping over the French countryside.

The verdict was delivered by the Montauban criminal court on Tuesday, where the pilot was found guilty of manslaughter as well as operating an aircraft without a valid aeronautical license, according to reports from French outlet Le Parisien. The convicted pilot received a suspended sentence of 12 months and has been banned from flying for a year.

During a hearing on September 19, Emmanuelle Franck, the lawyer representing the victim's family, criticized the pilot for his "recklessness or negligence," pointing out the lack of communication between Galy and the pilot. The president of the court echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in such situations.

The pilot's identity remains undisclosed, although he was previously identified as Alain C, and was the former chief pilot at the Midi-Pyrénées Skydiving School Association. The court handed a fine of approximately $22,000 to the school, although half of it was suspended, as reported by Le Parisien.

The incident took place when a single-engine aircraft carrying Galy, another wingsuit flyer, and several parachutists flew over the Bouloc-en-Quercy region. Galy, the last to jump from the plane, was struck by the descending aircraft shortly after his jump. The report from the Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Office stated that Galy's emergency parachute deployed upon impact, but tragically, he did not survive.

The investigation into the incident utilized footage captured by a camera mounted on another wingsuit flyer's helmet. The court found this evidence crucial in determining the sequence of events leading to Galy's death.

The pilot had previously defended himself in court, denying any responsibility for Galy's untimely demise. He argued that his flight path was logical and that he was not at fault. He also highlighted the challenges imposed by wingsuit fliers, who glide in a more straight-line trajectory than parachutists in free fall.

This verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and clear communication in the aviation industry. It underscores the need for pilots and skydivers to have a comprehensive understanding of each other's movements and trajectories to prevent such tragic accidents from occurring in the future.