At approximately 0430 EST reports began to emerge of a Greek F-4 Phantom crash. The initial report from local Greek media reads below:
“According to what has become known at approximately 10:30 on Monday, an F-4 (two-seater) aircraft of 338M/117PM that was performing a training flight crashed in the sea area 25 nautical miles south of Andravidas airport. There were two people on board the aircraft, a captain and a co-pilot.”
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— ????? (@ethnosgr) January 30, 2023
The search operation, led by two Air Force and two Navy search and rescue helicopters, has so far have only found one pilot, deceased. The aircraft belonged to the 338th Squadron of the 117th Fighter Wing out of Andravida Air Base and was performing a low-altitude training flight when a “technical malfunction” led to both pilots attempting to eject.
The aircraft wreckage was found 8 nautical miles west of Katakolo, the other pilot has not been located.
The Hellenic Air Force currently flies (35) F-4s and about (130) F-16s.
