His first statements after his son’s adventure, who managed to survive despite the crash of his F-16 in Psathura, his father did on his way to Athens.
Dimitris Apostolakis, speaking to MEGA and LIVE News, noted: “I don’t know any more either. Now I am coming down from Larissa – Athens, to see my child. In a communication I had with him he told me that he is fine, but I had a bad signal. I’m on my way to Athens, I hope everything goes well.
I can’t talk to you, I’m not in a good psychological state and I’m moving towards Athens”.
The pilot fought the waves for an hour and a half
The pilot of the F-16 was in the sea for an hour and a half, which crashed at noon on Wednesday on the island of Psathoura, south of Halkidiki, near Alonissos, signaling an alert to the Air Force.
In particular, the Air Force Block 52+ single seater went down at 13:33 and the pilot was picked up unharmed by a Super Puma helicopter at 15:02 and is headed to the 251st Air Force General Hospital.
The announcement of the GEA:
As announced by the General Air Staff, the pilot of the F-16 Block 52+ aircraft of the 337th Squadron of the 110th Fighter Wing, which crashed in the Psathoura sea area, was picked up alive by a Super Puma helicopter of the 130th Fighter Wing of the Air Force on the 15th: 02 and is directed to the 251 General Aviation Hospital.
The Chronicles
The F-16 went down at 13:33 in the afternoon on the island of Psathura. Its pilot managed to activate his ejection seat in time and fall into the sea, and a search and rescue operation immediately began, since his colleagues, who were taking part in the same training formation as him, were practically eyewitnesses of the F-16’s downfall .
The F-16 had taken off from Larissa and was in formation with three other fighter jets.
To F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon
The Greek Air Force is the first air force in the world to be equipped with this particular version of the F-16, according to what is reported on its website. The aircraft in question is an improved version of the BLOCK 50 with advanced electronic systems and a sophisticated engine.
The Greek BLOCK 52+ belong to 340, 343 and 337 degrees with callsigns “Fox”, “Star” and “Ghost” respectively.
They operate from the air bases of Souda (115 AM) and Larissa (110 AM).
Technical characteristics/Performance
Crew: 1 (C model), 2 (D model)
Engine: 1 Pratt & Whitney F100-PW 229/Thrust: 29,100 lbs
Wingspan: 9.96m
Length: 15.06 m
Maximum speed: 2,173 km. per hour or Mach 2.05
Maximum height: 15,240m. or 50,000 feet
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