An F-4 Phantom-type warplane crashed at 10:30 in the morning off Andravida in the Ionian Sea.

According to initial information, the pilots managed to make use of the automatic ejection system. A major search and rescue operation is currently underway to locate and rescue the two pilots in the Ionian Sea.

The huge operation for the two pilots of the Phantom involves water and air assets.

The same source notes that the Phantom aircraft that crashed was performing a training flight and was flying in a pair formation.

The official announcement of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff follows:

“On Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:30, an F-4 aircraft (two-seater) of 338Sq/117CW which was performing a training flight, crashed in the sea area 25 nautical miles south of Andravidas airport.

Vice Admiral (ret.) Vangelis Georgousis, speaking on ERT, said that apparently, the Phantom encountered an engine problem which could not be fixed and the pilots decided to eject the aircraft as they were at a safe altitude.

He clarified that the Phantom is not a training aircraft, but rather it is used for training flights in peacetime so that the pilots’ readiness is always on a high level.

Also read: F-4E Phantom | Invitation to technical dialogue for support of systems and equipment by HAF