A Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an airshow near Athens on September 5, 2026, killing both pilots aboard the aircraft.
The two-seat jet crashed while performing a low-altitude maneuver during Athens Flying Week at Tanagra Air Base, approximately 40 miles north of the Greek capital.
Video recorded by spectators showed the fighter making a low right turn shortly before it descended behind trees and struck the ground. The aircraft erupted in flames following the impact.
The bodies of both pilots were subsequently recovered, according to Greek Air Force officials. No spectators were injured despite thousands of people attending the event.
The crash and resulting fire prompted a large emergency response. Around 85 firefighters, 23 vehicles and 11 firefighting aircraft and helicopters were deployed after flames spread into nearby vegetation.
Initial recovery efforts were hampered by the fire. Spectators were instructed to leave the air base, while organizers canceled the remainder of the weekend’s flying program.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered his condolences to the pilots’ families following the accident.
“The sense of grief is widespread, and our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots we lost,” Mitsotakis said.
The Hellenic Air Force declared three days of mourning.
Athens Flying Week is an annual international airshow featuring military and civilian aircraft from Greece and other countries. The 2026 event was being held at Tanagra Air Base over the weekend of September 5 and 6.
Greece has operated the US-built F-4 Phantom since the 1970s. Although the type has been retired by most of its former operators, upgraded examples remain in service with the Hellenic Air Force.