The Armed Forces are on alert as at noon on Wednesday, specifically at 13:33, an Air Force F-16 crashed on Psathoura Island, near Alonissos, in the Sporades.

According to the information, the pilot abandoned the fighter aircraft which crashed under as yet unclear circumstances. A Super Puma was found in the area which recovered him with initial reports saying he is in good health.

The pilot was initially transferred to Lemnos for first aid and from there to the 251 Aviation General Hospital.

The location of Psathoura Island on the map

The F-16 had taken off from Larissa and was in formation with four other fighter aircraft.

The F-16C/D Block 52+

According to the official Air Force website, the Greek Air Force is the first air force in the world to be equipped with this particular version of the F-16.

This aircraft is an improved version of the BLOCK 50 with advanced electronic systems and a sophisticated engine. The Greek BLOCK 52+ belong to 340, 343 and 337 squadrons with call signatures “Fox, “Star” and “Ghost” respectively. They operate from the air bases of Souda (115 PM) and Larissa (110 PM).

Technical characteristics/performance

Crew: 1 (C model), 2 (D model)
Engine: 1 Pratt & Whitney F100-PW 229 / Power: 29,100 lbs.
Wing span: 9.96m
Length: 15.06m
Maximum speed: 2.173km per hour or 2.05 Mach
Maximum Altitude: 15,240m or 50,000 feet

The announcement of the Air Force General Staff

“On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 13:29, a single-seat F-16 Block 52+ aircraft of 337 Squadron, 110 Combat Wing (MC), performing a training flight, crashed in the Psathouras sea area. A search and rescue operation for the pilot is underway. 1 Super Puma helicopter from the 130th Combat Squadron, 1 S-70 helicopter of the Navy, 1 CL-415 from the 113th Marine Division, the frigate “Aegean” is heading to the area, while 1 C-130 is on maximum readiness.”