Phantom crash in Tanagra: “The aircraft was fully airworthy and had completed all procedures”

The F-4 Phantom that crashed near Tanagra during Athens Flying Week 2026 had completed all required maintenance and inspection procedures and was considered fully airworthy, according to sources cited by Kathimerini.

The fatal Phantom was making a flypast, not an aerobatic display. The aerobatic performance at the event was being conducted by the Zeus Air Demonstration Team using F-16 aircraft. Sources also rejected the idea that the aircraft’s age was an issue, noting that aircraft dating from the Second World War, including Spitfires, and even the First World War take part in similar events in Greece and abroad.

The fighter, assigned to the 338 Squadron of the 117 Combat Wing, crashed at 2:55 p.m. about three nautical miles southeast of the 114 Combat Wing. Both crew members died: 40-year-old Squadron Leader Ioannis Blesias and 37-year-old Flight Leader Dimitrios Petros.

An Air Force committee continues to investigate the circumstances and causes of the crash. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias declared three days of mourning across the armed forces, from Saturday, Sept. 5, through Monday, Sept. 7, in memory of the two service members.

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The aircraft was fully airworthy and had completed all procedures.