Overview
- The twin-seat F-4 Phantom crashed during a solo display at Athens Flying Week on Saturday, losing height in a low right turn before striking the ground near Tanagra Air Base and erupting into flames.
- Rescue teams recovered the bodies of both crew members, identified as Squadron Leader Ioannis Blesias and Flight Leader Dimitrios Petrou of 338 Squadron.
- Organizers ordered parts of the site evacuated and cancelled the remainder of the weekend show after thousands of spectators watched the crash but no spectator injuries were reported.
- A large multi-agency response fought the blaze with about 85 firefighters, 23 vehicles and multiple water‑dropping aircraft and helicopters while the Hellenic Air Force convened a committee to investigate the cause.
- The accident draws attention to Greece’s continued use of upgraded Cold War‑era Phantoms for public displays and may prompt reviews of display rules and use of legacy fighters at airshows following several recent demonstration‑flight accidents.