2nd LD Writethrough: Greek Air Force pilot dead after fighter crashes in Aegean Sea: official
Xinhua,April 12, 2018 Adjust font size:
ATHENS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A Greek Air Force pilot lost his life after a fighter crashed on Thursday off the coast of Skyros island in the Aegean Sea, Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos announced.
"The nation is mourning. We express deep condolences to his family and the Air Force," the Greek minister tweeted.
No further information has been given yet on the pilot's identity and the circumstances of the incident.
The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) lost contact with the Mirage 2000-5 type jet about 9 miles northeast of Skyros at 12:15 p.m. local time, according to a laconic HAF press release issued earlier.
The plane was returning to base on Skyros island after taking part with a second similar fighter in a mission to intercept Turkish Air Force aircraft earlier in the Aegean, according to sources.
The weather conditions in the area were good when the incident occurred and the pilot was experienced, according to the same sources. Enditem