Christian Marty

Christian Marty
Christian Henri Marty (12 November 1945 – 25 July 2000) was a French pilot who served as the captain of Air France Flight 4590. Prior to the crash, Marty was an athlete in extreme sports.
Athletic career
Marty specialized in long-distance windsurfing, as well as rally driving, cycling, skiing, and hang-gliding. In 1980, Marty windsurfed from Nice, France, to Calvi, Corsica, covering a distance of . In 1981, Marty achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first person to windsurf across the Atlantic Ocean. Equipped with a specially designed sailboard and accompanied by a supply boat, he embarked on his first attempt on 28 November 1981, starting from Dakar, Senegal. Unfortunately, this attempt proved unsuccessful.
Undeterred, Marty made a second attempt on 12 December 1981. During this journey, an incident occurred when Marty fell off his sailboard in the darkness. However, thanks to the flashlight on his sailboard, Marty was able to locate and swim back to his board, ensuring his safety. He resumed his trip without further incidents. This second attempt proved to be a success, as Marty arrived in Kourou, French Guiana, on 18 January 1982. In total, Marty covered a distance of , during the journey, which took him 37 days, 16 hours, and four minutes to complete.
It is worth mentioning that Marty had previously spent two years living in Guadeloupe, where he also accomplished another notable windsurfing achievement. He windsurfed a distance of from Guadeloupe to Martinique in the Caribbean. Marty's passion for extreme sports and his remarkable accomplishments have left a lasting impact in the world of long-distance windsurfing.
Aviation career
Marty's journey in the world of aviation began on 12 July 1967 when he obtained his pilot's license. Two years later, in 1969, he earned his commercial pilot's license and joined the prestigious Air France as a pilot. Throughout his career, Marty served in various roles, including pilot and flight instructor, operating a range of aircraft models. These included the Boeing 727 and 737, as well as the Airbus A300, A320, and A340.
After years of dedication and experience, Marty achieved a significant milestone in his aviation career. On 16 August 1999, he was appointed as a Concorde captain. This prestigious position marked the pinnacle of his journey as a pilot, commanding one of the most iconic and technologically advanced aircraft in history. Marty's extensive experience and expertise allowed him to navigate the skies with skill and confidence, leaving a remarkable legacy in the field of aviation.
Death
On 25 July 2000, Marty held the position of captain on Air France Flight 4590, operating the route from Paris to New York City. Accompanied by first officer Jean Marcot and flight engineer Gilles Jardinaud, Marty commenced the take-off roll with the intention of a routine departure. However, an unfortunate incident occurred during the process.
As the aircraft accelerated down the runway, the landing gear encountered a metal strip that had been dropped by another aircraft. This unexpected contact caused damage to the tire and resulted in the fuel tank being punctured, initiating an in-flight fire. The situation quickly escalated, causing the aircraft to lose control.
Tragically, the aircraft crashed into a hotel located in Gonesse, near Charles de Gaulle Airport. The devastating accident claimed the lives of all 109 individuals on board the aircraft, including Marty, as well as four additional individuals on the ground.
Bibliography
References
External links
Pilot had surfed to fame – The Daily Telegraph
A Man at Home with Danger – Time
La tragédie du vol AF 4590. [The tragedy of flight AF 4590] (in French) – Libération
Il pilota del Concorde: «Non riesco più a fermarlo» [The Concorde pilot: "I can't stop him anymore"] (in Italian) – Corriere della Sera
1946 births
2000 deaths
Sportspeople from Paris
Aviators from Paris
Concorde pilots
Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in France
Pages with unreviewed translations
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2000
French windsurfers