Posted on 09/05/2026 7:30:00 PM PDT by Libloather
A Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom plunged into the ground during an Athens Flying Week airshow Saturday — erupting into a massive fireball as horrified spectators watched, chilling video shows.
Both pilots aboard the American-made, two-seat fighter were killed in the crash, according to two officials who spoke to Reuters.
The shocking crash unfolded about two minutes into the jet’s display at Tanagra Air Base near Athens at around 3 p.m. local time, according to The Aviationist.
Footage shows the F-4 roaring along at low altitude before banking into a turn and rapidly losing height.
Seconds later, the fighter disappears behind trees and slams into the ground — sending a towering plume of flames and black smoke into the sky.
The footage does not appear to show either of the two aircrew members ejecting from the doomed aircraft.
The jet was flying just meters above the ground when it lost altitude while making a right turn and crashed about two kilometers from the airfield, Reuters reported.
Just one day earlier, the crew had successfully completed a rehearsal flight in the two-seat fighter.
The F-4 Phantom is one of the most iconic fighter jets of the jet age. First flown in 1958 and introduced by the US Navy in the 1960s, the twin-engine fighter became a workhorse of the Vietnam War and was later used by air forces around the world, including Greece, which first received the aircraft in the 1970s.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I'll look forward to the official findings, however I would have questions about airspeed and thrust vs angles of bank and pitch.
Sorry about the crew loss, at least the spectators were unhurt.
“The F-4 Phantom is one of the most iconic fighter jets of the jet age. First flown in 1958 and introduced by the US Navy in the 1960s, the twin-engine fighter became a workhorse of the Vietnam War”
RIP pilots
The F4 is such a great airplane. It flies overhead and you can’t see it. It’s truly a phantom.
Us-made...
Gee what is the point of highlighting that
Greek-maintained f4 phantom...
Gee what is the point of highlighting that
Typical media style guide find some way to denigrate the USA. I'll bet they were really bummed that it wasn't a Boeing jet too.
Well, it was made by McDonnell Douglas, which is now part of Boeing.
YOOOOOOOOoooo
Sup bro
Long time no see!
I see your point...GREEK maintenance?,,,makes sense...they have NO real strength or strict protocol....Shame
Aviation ping.............😥
Still around, just don’t post much.
The arrodynamics of the F-4 are defined thus: It is proof that if you give it enough thrust, you can make a brick fly.
CC
I suppose i could be reacting too sensitive and they just led with it to highlight it was an american fighter design, but when its a crash story i took it as a slam against it as a plane. I know it had its issues as well, but it kind of read like they were blaming its failure now 50+ years after being built on it being an american plane design. And its also europe and they kind of hate us so i took it as a jab.
I wonder how old that airframe was, and how much it had been stressed over all those years? No surviving F-4 is a spring chicken...
Damn, that poor classic jet.
“The Phantom entered service with the HAF in 1974 under the arms programme “Peace Icarus”. Although it is a second-generation aircraft, 36 Hellenic Phantoms have been upgraded with advanced electronics (programme “Peace Icarus 2000”), extending their operational life.
“They are based in Andrabida air base (117 Combat Wing, 338 and 339 Squadrons with call signs “Aris” and “Aias” respectively) and in Larissa air base (110 Combat Wing, 337 and 348 Squadrons “Ghost” and “Eyes” respectively). After the upgrade programme, all the Hellenic F-4Es wear the “Aegean Ghost” camouflage while all The Hellenic RF-4Es wear the “Vietnam” camouflage.”
https://www.haf.gr/en/equipment/f-4e-phantom-ii/
Clearly the US does not make good jets. This one isn't even going to make it to 80 years old.
Love the Led Sled. Sexiest non-prop fighter ever.
I post less, but I still post. With Jim passing, my suspicion is that the forum closes outright by 2030 or 2035. Not a bad run, for a website...
Always loved the F-4..it looks like death, loud as hell and a rocket with a cockpit.
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