Pilot dies as F-18 fighter crashes in northeastern Spain

The pilot of a Spanish Air-Force F-18 fighter died on Friday after his aircraft crashed near the municipality of Perales de Alfambra in the northeastern region of Aragon, the Spanish air force has confirmed, reported Xinhua.

The accident happened shortly after 13:00 hours local time (11:00 hours GMT), under circumstances that remain unknown. The pilot, who has been identified as Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martin, was unable to eject from the plane.

The air force confirmed the pilot's death on social media platform X and the Ministry of Defense also extended its condolences.

The pilot, who was stationed at the Torrejon de Ardoz airbase on the outskirts of Madrid, is reported by the Spanish media to have had "ample experience" with over 1,500 hours flying on F-18s.

Members of the Teruel Provincial Council Fire Brigade, agents of the Civil Guard, Civil Protection and members of the government of Aragon's Fire Extinguishing Service have been dispatched to the scene.

This is the latest in a series of accidents the Spanish Air Force has suffered with the F-18, with four pilots losing their lives in a dozen accidents since the U.S.-made fighter jet was introduced into service in Spain in 1986.

Last accident occurred in May 2023 when an F-18 crashed on takeoff in Zaragoza. In that instance, the pilot managed to eject safely.