Story perspectives

Ubisoft Co-founder Claude Guillemot Killed in La Baule Crash

6/22/2026

Summary

Claude Guillemot Crash

Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot (69) and a flight instructor died when their Cessna 421 crashed near La Baule on 19 June.
The aircraft departed Rennes at 5:20 PM and crashed before 6:00 PM, causing a 500-square-metre fire.
Firefighters responded with 63 personnel and 29 vehicles to extinguish the blaze.
Ubisoft issued a statement expressing deep sadness and announced no further comments, while French aviation investigators opened a formal inquiry.

Summary

Claude Guillemot Dies

The twin-motor Cessna 421 struck a field shortly before landing, killing pilot Claude Guillemot and his flight instructor.
Guillemot, president of the charitable Guillemot Foundation, and the instructor both held valid licences and extensive experience, according to Mayor Franck Louvrier of La Baule.
Louvrier said the unnamed instructor also perished, while an airport official remained anonymous because they were not authorised to be named publicly.

Summary

Claude Guillemot Accident

The crash forced the cancellation of the La Baule air show scheduled for the weekend.
Claude Guillemot owned the Cessna 421 and was piloting it during the fatal flight.
He transferred the CEO role of Guillemot Corporation to his son Valentin in July 2025.
He held a master’s degree in economic science from the University of Rennes.
Local authorities lowered the La Baule-Escoublac aerodrome flags to half-mast on Saturday as a mark of respect.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 ICAO amended Annex 13, establishing uniform rules for civil-aviation accident investigations and requiring states to publish findings quickly. France’s BEA, the agency tasked with probing crashes, must send a team within 90 days—a protocol applied to about 1,200 accidents recorded by 1990. The fatal Cessna 421 crash near La Baule that killed Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot therefore triggers a BEA inquiry under those long-standing standards.

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Claude Guillemot Crash

Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot (69) and a flight instructor died when their Cessna 421 crashed near La Baule on 19 June.
The aircraft departed Rennes at 5:20 PM and crashed before 6:00 PM, causing a 500-square-metre fire.
Firefighters responded with 63 personnel and 29 vehicles to extinguish the blaze.
Ubisoft issued a statement expressing deep sadness and announced no further comments, while French aviation investigators opened a formal inquiry.

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