Athens, Sept. 7 – A Greek two-seat F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed Saturday during the Athens Flying Week air show at Tanagra air base north of Athens, killing both pilots, officials said. The jet impacted two kilometres outside the airport with no injuries to bystanders or residents. The Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom joined the annual Athens Flying Week, drawing aviation teams from many countries.
Footage showed the F-4 executing a low right turn meters above ground seconds before the crash and fireball. Eleven firefighting aircraft and helicopters contained the fire spreading to nearby forest after the Greek F-4 crash near Athens. Loudspeakers at Tanagra air base urged people to leave during the emergency response.
The two-seat F-4 Phantom fighter jet was airborne briefly before the accident during an air show demonstration. Officials confirmed both pilots died in the Greek F-4 crash two kilometres from Tanagra air base north of Athens. Firefighting operations secured the crash site after the incident.
The cause of the F-4 Phantom crash during Athens Flying Week remains under military investigation. Athens Flying Week remains a key international aviation event after two pilots died in the Greek F-4 incident near Athens. Authorities confirmed no other casualties besides the two aircrew members.