Fighter Jet Pilot Killed In F-18 Crash

Picture: Raimundo Pérez Cabrera

An F-18 fighter jet has crashed in Spain, killing the pilot.

The incident happened at the Torrejón de Ardoz airbase, 12 miles east of the Spanish capital Madrid.

The pilot was Lieutenant Perez Serrano, who was part of the Spanish Air Force’s 12th Wing.

Residents in the area said that huge plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the air base just after 11am, local time.

The Spanish Ministry of Defence confirmed in a tweet that a fatal accident had taken place this morning while the aircraft was taking off.

Four fire brigades were rushed to the scene, while a SUMMA helicopter was also on standby.

According to the El Pais newspaper, the plane would have hit the parapet at the end of the runway at the time of take-off, indicating a lack of power because of a possible technical failure

However, the Spanish Ministry of Defence has not confirmed the reason for the crash.

This crash is the second involving a Spanish Air Force jet in a week.

A Eurofighter crashed in Albacete after participating in Spain’s military day parades last Thursday.