Hellenic Air Force F-16 crashes - Pilot safe

An HAF F-16 Block 52+ fighter crashed a while ago on the island of Psathoura, near Alonissos, and the first information indicates that there was an engine "burnout", meaning the engine ceased operating.

According to information, the pilot managed to eject from the aircraft, as eyewitnesses near the scene saw a parachute near the crash site.

A Super Puma helicopter was immediately raised and the pilot was located unharmed.

The aircraft had taken off from the 110th Fighter Wing's 337th Squadron.

The F-16 that crashed was of the Block 52+ version and belonged to the 337 Squadron in Larissa.

There are two other squadrons with fighters of this type which belong to the 115 PM of Souda.

These are the 50 F-16s procured by the Simitis government by decision of KYSEA in 1999 and their receipt began in 2003.

 There was also an option for another 10 fighter jets which was however canceled by the Karamanlis government .

The Block 52+ F-16s are the only ones with additional conformal tanks which increase range although reduce maneuverability as the Americans refused to offer the more powerful engine.