Greek Air Force F-4 Phantom Crashes During Athens Flying Week, Two Crew Members Killed

Video credit - @romanp314

A Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom crashed during a low-altitude display at the Athens Flying Week airshow in Tanagra, Greece, on September 5, 2026. The aircraft went down during the demonstration, killing both crew members, Squadron Leader Ioannis Blesias, 40, and Flight Leader Dimitrios Petrou, 37. No visible ejection was reported. Footage shows thick black smoke rising from the crash site as emergency crews responded. The crash also sparked a wildfire, prompting an extensive firefighting operation. The remaining airshow events were cancelled, while the Greek Armed Forces announced three days of official mourning.