Greek air force jet crashes at annual aerial show, kills 2 pilots and starts fire
The air force declared three days of mourning after the crash, and officials said the cause remains under investigation.
- On Saturday, a Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during the Athens Flying Week 2026 at Tanagra Air Base, killing the two pilots in front of thousands of spectators.
- During a low-altitude maneuver, the twin-seat Phantom jet suddenly lost altitude and plunged to the ground, igniting a fire that spread through the surrounding forested area.
- Eleven water-dropping planes and helicopters assisted 85 firefighters to contain the blaze, while authorities issued a 112 emergency alert and closed the Oinoi provincial road near the base.
- Defence Minister Nikos Dendias is returning to Athens from the Thessaloniki International Fair, while Cyprus' Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas called to express his government's condolences.
- The Hellenic Air Force declared three days of mourning, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated the crash is "a reminder of the daily danger faced by Greece's aviators.
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An F4 Phantom exploded in front of the spectators of an air show, a few minutes after taking off
Two pilots were killed by the crash of the F-4 Phantom aircraft during an air show at a base outside the Greek capital Athens.
Tragedy during Athens Flying Week, air-show in the north of the Greek capital, where two pilots on board a jet died after crashing with their aircraft. The two-seater Phantom F4 was performing a low-altitude maneuver before the accident and the rescue operations were initially hampered by the fire on the air base of Tanagra immediately after the deadly death. There were no injuries among the thousands present who were attending the aerial demons…
Yakima Herald-Republic
Greek air force jet crashes at an annual aerial show, killing 2 pilots
A Greek air force jet has crashed at an air show north of Athens and the plane's two pilots were killed. The crash of the twin-seat Phantom F4 jet occurred during a low-altitude maneuver. The resulting fire sent large plumes…
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