Spain’s Defense Ministry has reported a Lockheed-Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon of the Hellenic Air Force has crashed at Los Llanos Air Base near the city of Albacete, located in southeastern Spain. The Viper was reportedly taking off for a training mission during a NATO exercise when it crashed.
Initial reports indicate the two Greek pilots were killed and there were eight additional people who lost their lives when the jet impacted the ground near other parked NATO fighters on the ramp. At least fourteen others have been injured, some severely.
(Courtesy of Nacho Catalan/El Pais)
In a video posted on a Spanish news station, a column of black smoke and flames can be seem billowing up from the crash site. Clearly visible is a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the USAF’s 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, as well as Alphajets from the French Air Force.
We will update when more facts become available from the reporting news agencies.
(Featured Photo Courtesy of El Mundo)