Fatal F-4 was flying in a pair with another aircraft of the same type – Operators of the other Phantom reportedly alerted that something was wrong – Major operation to locate the 31-year-old squadron leader
The causes of the tragic accident after the fall of the Phantom in the area of ​​Andravida will be investigated by the competent services, at the same time that the search for the 31-year-old captain of the aircraft, Efstathios Tsitlakidis, continues throughout the night.
Earlier, the 29-year-old co-pilot of the F-4, Lieutenant Marios-Michael Turoutsikas, was found dead. The aircraft went down on Monday morning in the sea area 25 nautical miles south of Andravida airport.
The moment when the lifeboat with the wreckage of the aircraft docks at the port:
According to the latest details of the report, which SKAI presented in its main bulletin, the F-4 was performing a flight in a pair with another aircraft, at a very low altitude, which means that they had zero room to react if something went wrong.
The pilots of the other aircraft reportedly realized something was wrong with the other F-4 and alerted the control tower.
Information that has not been confirmed by official lips, states that the two pilots of the F-4 caught up and reported a malfunction and were ordered to abandon the aircraft. All the details of the accident will be clarified by the investigation carried out by the special commission.
A C-130 aircraft with flares and a Navy helicopter and an Air Force SUPER PUMA, as well as Coast Guard vessels, are participating in the night searches.
The announcement of the General Air Staff
On Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., a two-seater F-4 Phantom II aircraft of the 338th Squadron of the 117th Fighter Wing, which was performing a training flight, crashed into the sea area 25 nautical miles south of Andravidas airport, resulting in the fatal injury of the co-pilot, Sub-Commander (I) Marios – Michael Turoutsikas, 29 years old, while investigations continue for the captain, Commissary (I) Efstathios Tsitlakidis, 31 years old.
Nikos Panagiotopoulos announced three days of mourning
By decision of the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, three days of mourning were declared for the Armed Forces. In particular, by order of the Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, a three-day military mourning period is declared in the Armed Forces, from today until February 2, 2023, after the tragic event that occurred in the morning, as a result of which Lt. Gen. (I) Marios lost his life – Michael Turoutsikas.
Regarding the crash of the F-4E Phantom II fighter jet, the Minister of National Defense stated:
“While the search for the captain continues, we express our sadness and grief at the loss of the co-pilot after the fighter jet crashed during a training activity in Andravida.
Our thoughts are with the family of the flying Lieutenant Commander, to whom we express our support and our sincere condolences”.
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