A French Air and Space Force Rafale fighter pilot detected a fuel leak on a Bombardier Global 6000 business jet at 40,000 feet over France on August 12, 2026. The discovery prompted the crew to abort a transatlantic flight to Miami and divert to Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG), according to France's Air Defense and Air Operations Command (CDAOA).
The Rafale had launched from Air Base 118 Mont-de-Marsan for a training mission. Upon joining the Global 6000 at cruising altitude, the pilot noticed a dissipate trail beside the aircraft's standard contrails, registered a smell of kerosene, and identified fuel escaping from the business jet's right wing.
After being alerted, the business jet crew reported the situation to air traffic control and turned toward Le Bourget. Tracking data indicates the aircraft, registered N1244 to Leon Global Express, had departed Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) for Miami before diverting.
