A shocking incident surprised Spain When a f-18 aircraft of the local Air Force, known as the Air and Space Army, crashed this morning at the Zaragoza air base during a display.
The pilot managed to eject before impact. According to the first information published by the Zaragoza media, he would have suffered various types of trauma to his legs, hips and arms.
“He has always been conscious and was immediately transferred by medical helicopter from 112 to the Military Hospital,” they said. He is a captain of the 15° Stormo with more than 1,000 flight hours.
The shocking incident that was recorded on a cell phone. The aircraft crashed on the lead of runway 3/0 R, and some remains were scattered outside the military complex.
“The pilot of the crashed F18 is already in hospital and his life is not in danger,” the Spanish Air Force and Space officially reported.
The Command of the Civil Guard of Zaragoza and the Police Headquarters of Aragon confirmed that the accident occurred around 12:10 (Spanish time), when the pilot was carrying out exhibition manoeuvres.
For still unknown reasons, it crashed very close to the civilian facilities of Zaragoza airport, located 300 kilometers northeast of Madrid.
Spanish Air Force F-18 crashes
The first accident with the Spanish Air Force was also in Zaragoza. On November 7, 1988, a wing 15 plane crashed in the Sierra de La Muela, 15 kilometers from the Aragonese capital, due to engine failure. Its sole occupant also bailed out and was unhurt.
A few days later, another F-18 and a Hercules 130, based in Zaragoza, collided in flight after starting landing and takeoff operations respectively. The crash caused only minor damage.
On November 28, 1991, another F-18 from the Torrejón de Ardoz air base (Madrid) crashed into the Bardenas Reales shooting range, in Navarre; the Air Force lieutenant who was flying it died in the crash.
On August 16, 1994, an F-18 collided with a large bird while participating in a training exercise at the Bardenas Reales shooting range; in that incident the commander was injured.
On March 13, 2000, two Zaragoza-based F-18s crashed in mid-air over the municipality of Ejea de los Caballeros, where more than 15,000 people live. An air force captain died in the crash, while a lieutenant, who managed to jump out of the plane, survived.
On February 11, 2003, an F-18 military plane crashed into the sea on the island of Gran Canaria, suffering no injuries.
On March 2, 2009, an F-18 of the 12th Wing of the Italian Air Force crashed to the ground after its pilot jumped near the Bardenas Reales shooting range, south of the city of Catarroso.
On 16 June 2009, two F-18 aircraft from the fighter squadron at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria crashed into the sea and their two pilots were rescued after having displaced earlier.
In 2017, an F-18 based in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) crashed during takeoff from the air base, killing its pilot.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.