The Hellenic Air Force has identified the two pilots killed when an F-4E Phantom II fighter jet crashed near Tanagra, north of Athens, on Saturday.
Major Ioannis Blesias, 40, and Captain Dimitrios Petrou, 37, died when the aircraft crashed at approximately 2.55 pm local time.
According to the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, the jet belonged to the 338 Squadron of the 117th Combat Wing and came down about three nautical miles, or 5.6 kilometres, south-east of the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra.
The aircraft crashed during an air show event but was undertaking a transit flight rather than participating in an aerial performance, sources associated with the event’s organiser said.
They said the display itself was conducted by the “ZEUS” Air Display Team using F-16 aircraft.
The sources also said the F-4E had undergone all maintenance and inspections required under Air Force protocols and was considered fully airworthy.
They dismissed suggestions that the aircraft’s “age” may have been a factor, noting that historic aircraft dating from the First and Second World Wars regularly take part in air shows in Greece and overseas.
Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has declared a three-day period of mourning across the Greek Armed Forces until September 7.
A Hellenic Air Force committee is investigating the circumstances and cause of the crash.
Source: Ekathimerini