Photo+Video/ Greek Phantom crashes at Tanagra, $2.4 million aircraft goes up in flames

A Hellenic Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP Phantom II crashed today at Tanagra Air Base during the Athens Flying Week 2026. The F-4E AUP is the Greek version of the aircraft, while AUP stands for Avionics Upgrade Program; the variant is also known as Peace Icarus 2000.

According to Top Channel correspondent Aleksandër Marku, the aircraft was flying at low altitude when it crashed onto the runway, shortly before landing, and was subsequently engulfed in flames. The causes of the accident have not yet been disclosed.

Greece received its first Phantom aircraft in 1974. The Greek F-4s that were later included in the AUP belonged to series produced during the 1970s. For this reason, the aircraft that continue to fly in Greece are around 48–52 years old, even though their electronic equipment has been upgraded.

The Greek Peace Icarus 2000 program began in 1997 and called for the modernization of 39 aircraft. In the end, around 36 F-4Es were upgraded.

The latest open inventories for 2026 indicated that, before today’s accident, Greece had around 17 F-4E AUPs in service, although not all of them were flight-ready.

When it left the production line, a new F-4E cost around $2.4 million in 1965 dollars.

However, the Greek aircraft underwent modernization many years later. The Peace Icarus 2000 program for the 39 aircraft planned cost around $315 million, or €273.9 million. The work included a new radar, mission computer, modern cockpit, navigation systems and updated armament.

The Greek F-4E AUP is a supersonic aircraft with two General Electric J79 engines and seating for two crew members. It can reach a speed of around Mach 2.2, or approximately 2,300–2,370 km/h, fly at an altitude of around 18 kilometers and have a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 28 tons.

The crash occurred at a significant moment, as the Phantom’s participation in Athens Flying Week 2026 had been announced as one of the model’s final public appearances. Greece is preparing to retire it from service.