Ten Dead As F-16 Jet Crashes Into Planes

 

The NATO fighter jet had just taken off when it lost power and smashed into an area where aircraft were parked at a military base.

At least 10 people have been killed after a Greek fighter jet crashed into other planes at a military base in Spain, officials say.

Thirteen others were injured, including seven who are in a very serious condition, following the tragedy which happened during a NATO training exercise.
The F-16 had just taken off when it lost power and smashed into an area where aircraft also involved in the exercise were parked on the tarmac.
Among the dead were the jet's two pilots, according to reports.
The crash sent flames and a plume of black smoke billowing into the air and the affected area has been cordoned off.

Firefighters worked to put out the blaze at the Los Llanos base near Albacete, 160 miles south-east of Madrid, the Spanish defence ministry said.
Most of the victims were not thought to be Spanish. No British personnel were involved in the tragedy.
A defence ministry statement said: "The plane, part of the tactical leadership programme (TLP) of NATO was carrying out a (training) exercise when during the take-off the plane lost power."
It added the jet crashed "into the parking area for planes, crashing into various planes that were parked there".
It the second accident at the air base within the last six months.
The pilot of a Spanish fighter-bomber died when the aircraft exploded after taking off during Spanish-US military exercises in July.

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   Gallery: Fighter Jet Crashes Into Planes

   
   

   The F-16 has been in service for more than 40 years and fatal crashes are rare.
   In 1994, 24 members of the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division were killed when an F-16 aircraft hit buildings at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina.
   It had been involved in a mid-air collision with a military transport plane, hitting the ground and exploding after the crew had ejected safely.
   TLP was formed in 1978 by NATO's Central Region air forces to advance their tactical capabilities and produce tactics, techniques and procedures that improve multi-national tactical air operations.
   The first TLP course was located at Fuerstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany. It has been based at the Spanish facility since June 2009.