Reverberations and shock continued in many of Europe’s militaries this week, after a Greek F-16 fighter jet crashed during a NATO training exercise in central Spain, killing two Greek pilots and nine French military personnel.

The armed forces of Greece and France were plunged into mourning and the Italian armed forces shared their agony, as 11 of a total of 22 injured are Italian officers.

According to the headquarters of the French Air Force, one wounded officer remains in the hospital in a critical condition while two others have been placed in a medically induced coma, an option used by doctors as a last line of treatment in extremely difficult cases, where the patient is at high risk of brain injury.

The F-16 crash in Albacete, Spain is the worst in the history of military aviation in France since 2007. The air base of Albacete is a NATO “school” where the best NATO pilots are trained, including French, Greek and Spanish pilots. Citing sources from the Spanish Defense Ministry, AFP reports that the Spanish Ministry of Defense has appointed Spanish and Greek experts to investigate the causes of the accident.

Background

The crash took place during a NATO training exercise as part of the Tactical Leadership Program (TLP) that includes the involvement of 10 NATO nations hoping to increase the effectiveness of allied air forces.\
The Greek Defense Ministry said that the accident was the result of fuel retention in the engine however it is also being investigated as to whether the Greek pilot took a wrong maneuver at take off, 3.30 p.m. local time. The copilot reportedly tried to use his parachute but was killed by the impact nonetheless.

According to El Pais:

1. The Greek F-16 was taking part in an exercise with two pilots

2. Began takeoff at 3.30 p.m.

3. There was fuel “retention” in the engine for unknown reasons

4. The aircraft swerved to the right, lost altitude and crashed into other aircraft getting ready to take off