In Générac, the memory of Franck Chesneau remains vivid. Since 2020, the town in the Gard department has organised a ceremony every 2 August to pay tribute to this Tracker pilot who died whilst on a mission.
Franck Chesneau lost his life on 2 August 2019. He was attempting to bring under control a fire that destroyed several hundred hectares around Générac.
Seven years after the tragedy, 150 people gathered in front of the war memorial. His wife, Éva Chesneau, his former colleagues and several local residents took part in the ceremony.
“To be honest, current events are causing me more anxiety than the preparations for this ceremony,” said Éva Chesneau. She referred to the major fires in Gironde and the recent deaths of firefighters. “I’m thinking of those people and I know what it means. For me, it’s all still very distressing,” she added, as reported to me ICI Gard-Lozère.
Franck Chesneau was piloting the Tracker 22 at the time of the fire in Générac
On 2 August 2019, Franck Chesneau took part in an operation to tackle a severe bush fire in Générac. He was piloting the Tracker 22, a water-bombing aircraft operated by the Civil Protection Service.
The aircraft crashed during the mission. The pilot lost his life in the accident. Franck Chesneau was on a mission just a few kilometres from Nîmes-Garons Air Base at the time.
From fighter pilot to high-risk Civil Defence missions
Franck Chesneau began his career in the Air Force in 1994 as a fighter pilot. He then served as a pilot and instructor until 2008.
That year, he joined the Civil Protection Air Resources Group, which is part of the Ministry of the Interior. From then on, he devoted his career to water-bombing aircraft. At the controls of his Tracker, he skilfully carried out some particularly dangerous missions.
Générac honours the memory of the Civil Defence pilot
Since the tragedy, Générac has been organising a ceremony to honour the memory of Franck Chesneau.
The mayor of Générac, Frédéric Touzellier, paid tribute to his actions: “He died fighting the flames to save our village. His dedication is exemplary. We will never forget him.”
Seven years after the Tracker 22 accident, Franck Chesneau is still remembered in Générac. This tribute also serves as a reminder of the risks taken by pilots and Civil Protection teams during forest fires. He was married and the father of two children. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. In memory of Franck Chesneau.
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