The incident occurred on the afternoon of 5/9 when an F-4E Phantom II fighter, part of the 338 Squadron, was performing at the Athens Flying Week 2026 air show. "The cause of the accident is under investigation," the Hellenic Air Force stated.

Video recorded by spectators showed the F-4E banking and circling at a low altitude, then crashing to the ground and exploding violently, creating a large fireball some distance from the exhibition. The hai pilots on board apparently did not have time to eject during the incident.

Local media reported the aircraft experienced a malfunction just 2 minutes after starting its performance.

The accident also ignited a fire near Tanagra military airport, which quickly spread to a nearby forest. Approximately 115 firefighters, 36 specialized vehicles, 9 aircraft, and 4 helicopters were deployed to the scene to extinguish the blaze.

Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias cut short his schedule to attend the Thessaloniki international fair to return to Athens after the accident. The organizers of Athens Flying Week also announced the cancellation of all remaining activities within the framework of the event.

Held on 5-6/9, Athens Flying Week is one of the largest air shows in southeastern Europe. The program featured many display flights, complex aerobatic maneuvers, and parachute jumps.

Black smoke rises after a Greek F-4E fighter crashed and exploded on 5/9. Photo: Reuters

The F-4 Phantom II, nicknamed "Phantom", is a supersonic fighter developed by McDonnell Douglas for the US Navy and entered service in 1961, before becoming the mainstay fighter for the US Air Force and Marine Corps in the mid-1960s. The aircraft has a hai-person crew, consisting of a pilot and a weapon systems officer.

McDonnell Douglas' F-4 production line operated during the 1958-1981 period, with a total of 5,195 aircraft produced. The Hellenic Air Force inducted its thu nhat F-4 in 1974 and operated a total of 35 F-4Es.

In 2023, an F-4E from the 338 Squadron also crashed into the sea during a low-altitude training flight at less than 120 m above sea level, killing ca hai pilots. As of early 2025, the Hellenic Air Force still operates about 16 F-4Es and plans to decommission this aircraft type soon, replacing them with a fleet of F-35A stealth fighters.

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters, Euronews, AFP, AP)