Fighter jet crashes at air show, killing 2 pilots with thousands of spectators watching - Fox News
A Greek air force F-4 Phantom jet crashed during an air show in Athens, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. Organizers canceled the remainder of the event, and the country has declared three days of mourning.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the inherent risks of military aviation and has prompted a national response in Greece regarding the safety and sacrifice of its aviators.
A day at an air show turned fatal Saturday when a Greek air force jet crashed north of Athens as thousands of spectators watched. Both pilots were killed in the crash at Tanagra Air Force Base, but no civilians were hurt. The twin-seat Phantom F-4 jet flew into the ground during a low-altitude maneuver just meters above the ground. EIGHT BELIEVED DEAD AFTER B-52 CRASHES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE "The sense of grief is widespread, and our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots we lost," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. "It is a reminder of the daily danger faced by Greece’s aviators, who remain on constant standby to protect Greece's skies." The jet burst into flames on impact, sending up a large plume of black smoke, prompting 11 water-dropping planes and helicopters to assist 85 firefighters in extinguishing the blaze.
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