A Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom II fighter aircraft crashed on Saturday, 5 September 2026, while participating in the “Athens Flying Week 2026” airshow.

The aircraft, assigned to the 338 Squadron of the 117 Combat Wing, went down at approximately 14:55 local time, three nautical miles southeast of the 114 Combat Wing.

The two crew members tragically lost their lives in the accident. They were identified as 40-year-old Squadron Leader Ioannis Blesias and 37-year-old Flight Lieutenant Dimitrios Petrou.

Following the accident, Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias declared three days of mourning across the Hellenic Armed Forces, from Saturday, 5 September, through Monday, 7 September 2026, in honour of the two fallen airmen.

A competent Hellenic Air Force investigation committee has been appointed to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine its cause.

The loss of the two officers has brought profound sorrow to the Hellenic Air Force and the wider Greek defence community.