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🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Two pilots killed in Phantom crash at Tanagra

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Two pilots died when an F-4E Phantom II fighter jet crashed during the Athens Flying Week air show near Tanagra on Sept. 5, 2026.
  • The Greek government declared three days of mourning for the armed forces, and an Air Force committee opened an investigation into the cause.
  • The crash started a fire in nearby farmland, while officials said the fire situation had improved and ground and air forces remained at the scene.

The two pilots of an F-4 Phantom died after their fighter jet crashed during an air-force demonstration at Tanagra in front of spectators at the Athens Flying Week air show.

The crash occurred at 2:55 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, according to an official announcement from the Greek Air Force. The aircraft, an F-4E Phantom II from the 338 Squadron of the 117 Combat Wing, went down three nautical miles southeast of the 114 Combat Wing. The crew members were identified by rank and initials as Air Force Lieutenant Colonel I.M. and Major D.P.

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias interrupted his program at the Thessaloniki International Fair and returned urgently to Athens. He declared three days of mourning in the armed forces, from Saturday through Monday. The crash is being investigated by a competent Air Force committee.

All Greeks are shocked by the loss of the two Air Force pilots during the demonstration in Tanagra. We bid them farewell with emotion.

· Kostis HatzidakisThe Greek government vice president expressed condolences after the crash.

Early reports said a recorded conversation took place between the two experienced pilots and air-traffic control in the minutes before the crash. The reports also said the pilots did not activate the aircraft’s ejection system, apparently directing the Phantom away from residential areas and spectators. These details remain part of the initial reporting on the accident.

Video showed the Phantom suddenly losing altitude before falling into farmland. Part of the aircraft was dragged into a nearby factory, and the crash sparked a fire that spread across agricultural land. Strong ground and air forces continued firefighting operations, while officials said the situation had improved. Government Vice President Kostis Hatzidakis said, "All Greeks are shocked by the loss of the two Air Force pilots during the demonstration in Tanagra. We bid them farewell with emotion." A local resident, Dimitra Mavraggelou, said the aircraft had passed over her home and that "the whole house shook" before a brief power cut.

The whole house shook.

· Dimitra MavraggelouA Tanagra resident described the aircraft’s passage over her home during the demonstration.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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