An F-4E Phantom II fighter jet crashed on Saturday during an Athens Flying Week air show near Tanagra, killing both crew members, 40-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Ioannis Blesias and Captain Dimitrios Petros.
The event was cancelled, while Defence Minister Nikos Dendias declared three days of mourning in the Armed Forces, from Saturday, September 5, through today, Monday, September 7.
Three days of mourning were declared in the Armed Forces, from Saturday, September 5, through today, Monday, September 7.
The Phantom crashed at around 2:55 p.m., just minutes after the start of the display. Part of the aircraft then skidded into a nearby factory, where a fire broke out and spread to a forested area.
The Air Force committee investigating the causes and circumstances of the crash is continuing its work. According to information cited by Kathimerini, however, the aircraft had reportedly undergone all required maintenance and inspections in line with Air Force protocols and was fully airworthy.
According to the same information, the aircraft had been scheduled to perform a flypast rather than an aerial display. Aerial displays are carried out by the ZEUS Demo Team using F-16 aircraft.
Source: Kathimerini
