Two pilots have been killed after a Greek Air Force F-4E Phantom crashed during a display at Athens Flying Week in Tanagra on Saturday.
The bodies of the two crew members were located near the crash site shortly before 5pm, according to information reported by CNN Greece. Search and recovery operations at the scene were continuing.
The aircraft crashed while taking part in the air show, with hundreds of spectators watching the display.
NEW: A Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom II has crashed while performing a solo display at Athens Flying Week in Tanagra, Greece.
No parachutes were visible following the crash, and there is no official confirmation regarding the condition of the crew. pic.twitter.com/zrCHC8g3vl
— Tabz (@TabzLIVE) September 5, 2026
Emergency crews rushed to the crash site
The National Emergency Aid Centre (EKAB) was reportedly the first emergency service to reach the area, arriving before the Fire Service and Greek Air Force personnel.
Two EKAB ambulances and two motorcycles took part in the search and rescue operation. According to reports, EKAB personnel located the bodies of the two pilots.
The crash was followed by an explosion and fire. Initial reports indicated that the Phantom struck a hill and broke apart.
Athens Flying Week was temporarily suspended following the crash, while the site was evacuated.
NEW: A Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom II has crashed while performing a solo display at Athens Flying Week in Tanagra, Greece.
No parachutes were visible following the crash, and there is no official confirmation regarding the condition of the crew. pic.twitter.com/zrCHC8g3vl
— Tabz (@TabzLIVE) September 5, 2026
How the crash happened
The aircraft was a two-seat F-4E Phantom II, serial number 504, operated by the Hellenic Air Force. It had taken off from the 117 Combat Wing at Andravida to participate in the air show at Tanagra.
Seconds after take-off, the aircraft carried out its initial manoeuvres before the two pilots directed the twin-engined fighter parallel to the runway.
The aircraft was travelling at high speed when the announcer told spectators to watch the Phantom as it moved parallel to the horizon.
Seconds later, spectators could be heard reacting as the aircraft lost altitude and crashed.
Early eyewitness accounts suggested that the Phantom had not gained sufficient altitude. It then appeared to attempt a turn and another manoeuvre before hitting the ground.
The precise circumstances and cause of the crash are expected to be investigated by the competent authorities.
A Greek F-4E AUP Phantom has just crashed during its display at Athens Flying Week 2026. No chutes.
Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/7nyuhE2AWL
— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) September 5, 2026
A veteran of the Greek Air Force
The F-4 Phantom is an American-designed fighter aircraft, with the first aircraft of the type entering production in 1963.
Greece acquired its first Phantoms in 1974 under the Peace Icarus defence programme.
A total of 36 Greek Phantoms were subsequently upgraded with modern electronic systems under the Peace Icarus 2000 programme, extending their operational service.
The F-4E Phantom II has a two-person crew and is powered by two engines. It has a maximum speed of around 2,370 kilometres per hour, or approximately Mach 2.2, and can operate at altitudes exceeding 15,240 metres.
The fatal crash occurred during one of the aircraft's public demonstration flights at Athens Flying Week.
An investigation will now seek to establish what caused the aircraft to lose altitude and crash during the display.
#Τανάγρα συντριβή #Phantom Athens Flying Week 2026. pic.twitter.com/GEHQsnlToP
— Matheol (@SMatheol) September 5, 2026
#Τανάγρα συντριβή #Phantom Athens Flying Week 2026. pic.twitter.com/GEHQsnlToP
— Matheol (@SMatheol) September 5, 2026
A HAF F-4 Phantom II just crashed at the Athens Fling Week airshow. We can only hope for the best, but I saw no parachutes. He hit the ground coming out of a turn. pic.twitter.com/JtW4YdPJ5x
— Sova🇧🇬 (@sovva1_1) September 5, 2026
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