Today at 11 a.m., the funeral of Ensign Epaminondas Kosteas, the Air Force pilot who lost his life on Wednesday, when the T2 training aircraft crashed a short distance from the airport, will be held at the Holy Church of the Dormition in Megali Mantineia, West Mani Municipality of Kalamata.

The pilot leaves behind two minor children and his wife who were eyewitnesses to the tragedy.

During the raising of the flag this morning at the Ministry of National Defense, honors were paid to the memory of the commander. A memorial service will follow at the Cathedral of the Armed Forces of Panagia Pantanassa.

The explosion scenario is removed

The Air Force continues to investigate the cause crash of the T-2 training aircraft.

The last moments of the flight were recorded by the pilot’s wife, as well as by his colleagues who were waiting for him to land at Kalamata airport. All of this material is being reviewed by Air Force experts to see exactly what happened.

It seems that the scenario of the explosion in the air is removed, as no such element seems to have been recorded and there are no scattered pieces of the aircraft.

Based on the videos, it is being examined whether any part of the wing of the aircraft was detached, as a result of which the pilot could not control the aircraft. It appears that he did not press the button to exit the aircraft.

The verdict on exactly what happened is expected early in the new year.

Lament in his father’s house

The pilot’s parents can’t believe what happened. Scenes of an ancient tragedy unfolded in the 40-year-old’s home.

“The day before yesterday my father told me tomorrow I’m making my last flight, but I wanted the T-2 not the last of his life”said the pilot’s father, Sotiris Kosteas.

“I want my child. My child. Can someone bring it to me? My child mine! »says the pilot’s mother, Varvara Kostea.

“The horror, they experienced the death of their father before their eyes. For 10 seconds he would either land or if he was higher he would have time to launch. He did not have time. He didn’t have time… His love healed him. His love for the airplane”notes the pilot’s father.

This would be their son’s farewell flight in the T-2 trainer, as he was to be transferred to another type of trainer.

–“It would be a small celebration. The finale of T-2”says his father

– Was she videotaping her husband?

–“Yes, yes, because he had said that he was leaving Kitria and coming to land. It was 80 meters… it was on the runway and pieces started to fly from the plane.”adds the 40-year-old’s father.

In almost all flights, the 40-year-old Epaminondas flew over his village of Sandova in order to leave his mark on his own people and his fatherbut also his mother, who today cannot believe what has happened.

“He took pride in his work. His hobby was flying. He was getting it up to 35,000 feet and working it into the red. He tells me father don’t be afraid. They are old planes, but they are still reliable. We throw them away. He had never said anything to me.”says the pilot’s father.

The whole village is talking about the morale of the 40-year-old pilot.

“He was human. Do you know what man means? Pure, family man, role model. What else; What else; He was not just our fellow villager. He was a role model”says a family friend.

“He was my hero clearly, he was my little star that I lost…”says the father of the 40-year-old.