Fatal F-4 Phantom Crash Athens Flying Week 2026

TANAGRA, GREECE – SEPTEMBER 5, 2026: Spectators attend Athens Flying Week 2026 at Tanagra Air Base as military and aerobatic aircraft take part in the international air show. The event was brought to an abrupt end after a Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom II of the 338 Squadron, 117 Combat Wing, crashed during its flying display at 14:55, around three nautical miles southeast of the 114 Combat Wing. Both crew members, Ioannis Blesias, 40, and Dimitrios Petrou, 37, were killed. Thick black smoke rose near the airfield as emergency crews responded, and organisers cancelled the remainder of the flying programme. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo: Harris Xanthopoulos / MedPress.