7 hrs ago
Greek F-4 Phantom Crashes at Air Show, Killing Two Pilots
A Greek fighter jet crashed during an air show near Athens.
The plane was a two-seat F-4 Phantom.
It was flying at the Athens Flying Week event.
Videos showed it turning close to the ground before dropping and crashing.
The crash caused a large fire and thick black smoke.
Officials said both pilots died.
No spectators or nearby residents were reported injured.
Firefighters and helicopters worked to stop the fire, and the rest of the show was canceled.
A Greek two-seat F-4 Phantom crashed during Athens Flying Week at Tanagra Air Force Base on Saturday.
Officials said both pilots died after the aircraft crashed during a low-altitude maneuver.
Videos showed the jet performing a turn before losing altitude, breaking apart and erupting into flames.
Reports differed on the crash distance, citing about 100 metres from spectators or roughly two kilometres outside the airport.
Firefighters, water-dropping aircraft and helicopters contained a blaze near a forest as authorities evacuated the area and organizers canceled the remaining events.
- Who
- The two pilots of the Greek Air Force F-4 Phantom died; spectators and nearby residents were in the surrounding area.
- What
- An F-4 Phantom crashed during an air show, killing both pilots and starting a fire.
- Where
- At or near Tanagra Air Force Base, about 60 kilometres north of Athens, Greece.
- When
- Saturday, during the annual Athens Flying Week; no calendar date was provided.
- Why
- The aircraft lost altitude during a low-altitude maneuver; the cause of the crash was not reported.
Key facts
- Aircraft
- Greek two-seat F-4 Phantom fighter jet
- Event
- Athens Flying Week
- Location
- Tanagra Air Force Base, about 60 kilometres north of Athens
- Fatalities
- Both pilots were killed
- Reported distance
- Accounts cited about 100 metres from spectators or roughly two kilometres outside the airport
- Fire response
- Eleven water-dropping aircraft and helicopters assisted 85 firefighters; another report said two helicopters were dispatched
- Aftermath
- The remaining weekend events were canceled and people near the base were told to leave
Quotes
A Greek Air Force official
Greek Air Force official who provided information about the crash response
“The sense of grief is widespread, and our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots we lost. It is a reminder of the daily danger faced by Greece’s aviators, who remain on constant standby to protect Greece's skies.”
republicworld.com
“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.”
republicworld.com
Eyewitness
An eyewitness who spoke to Greek public broadcaster ERT
“We were all stunned. It hadn't been airborne for more than three minutes”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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