2023-05-20 19:08:42
The accident could have ended in tragedy. A Spanish Air Force F-18 plane has crashed near the air base in Zaragoza, capital of Spain’s Aragon province, as reported by the quotidien local Herald of Aragon. The incident, which took place this Saturday in the military compound around 12:10 p.m., has since been confirmed by the Civil Guard. The reasons for the accident remain unknown at this time.
The impressive footage of the crash swirled around social media this Saturday. Videos of barely a few seconds, shot by witnesses, show the plane flying diagonally and hitting the ground, before causing an explosion.
“The pilot successfully ejected”
Alone on board, the pilot was able to eject himself from the aircraft in time before the explosion, according to the first known elements. However, he suffers from a series of injuries to his legs, hips and arms linked to his fall to the ground, further specifies the Spanish newspaper. The pilot was immediately transferred in a medical helicopter to a nearby hospital. His days are not in danger. “The pilot ejected successfully and the plane landed within the perimeter of the base,” confirmed the Spanish army in the early afternoon on Twitter.
Firefighters rushed to the scene shortly after the accident and quickly brought the blaze under control. The plane completely disintegrated but several pieces of the aircraft were found scattered outside the military compound.
This is not the first time that such an accident involving an F-18 has occurred. In 2017, the same model of plane crashed on takeoff from the air base in Torrejon de Ardoz, in the community of Madrid, killing the pilot instantly.
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