Greek Air Force Jet Crashes During Air Show, Killing Two Pilots

The Greek Air Force jet broke apart in a burst of smoke and a second explosion as it performed a low-altitude manoeuvre during the Athens Flying Week show. Both pilots aboard the twin-seat F-4 Phantom died.

Thousands of people were watching the annual event north of Athens when the aircraft crashed at Tanagra air force base, about 60 kilometres from the capital. No spectators were injured, officials said, although the impact started a fire on the base grounds.

The early rescue operation faced difficult conditions because of the blaze. Eleven water-dropping planes and helicopters joined 85 firefighters trying to contain it, while the pilots’ bodies were located during the operation. The fire remained some distance from the viewing area, but authorities ordered an evacuation in a nearby area.

Organisers cancelled the remaining events planned for the weekend. Video from the crash showed a column of smoke rising from the impact site, followed by a larger explosion as the aircraft broke apart.

Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said he had called Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias to offer his government’s condolences. “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of the two officers of the Hellenic Air Force, who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred during the air show at Tanagra Air Base,” Palmas wrote in an online post.

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It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of the two officers of the Hellenic Air Force, who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred during the air show at Tanagra Air Base.