The name of the pilot of the M2000-5 aircraft car that crashed into the sea 9 nautical miles northeast of Skyros was announced today by the General Staff of the Hellenic Air Force. The deceased is the squadron leader George Baltadoros, born in 1984. Father and husband.
When the pilot George Baltadoros was talking about the dangers in the Aegean
According to the relevant announcement, "on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 12:15, a single-seater aircraft M2000-5 of 114PM / 331M, in the approach phase for landing after completing a business mission and at a distance of nine (9) nautical miles northeast of Skyros Island , collided with the sea resulting in the fatal injury of the pilot of the aircraft Sminagos (I) Georgios Baltadoros ".
As it also became known, "a competent committee was set up to investigate the accident".
Earlier, in a message on his official Twitter account, Defense Minister Panos Kammenos had announced the pilot's death, sending his condolences to his family and noting that "he also fell in favor of faith and homeland, fighting to defend our national sovereignty and territory." integrity ".
"A Greek pilot in the Pantheon of Heroes. Patridos also fell in favor of faith, fighting for the defense of National sovereignty and our territorial integrity. The mourning homeland bows. "Warm condolences to his family and to all PA executives", the Minister of Defense wrote in his message.
The Mirage 2000-5 that crashed in Skyros was one of two formation fighter jets that had taken off to intercept Turkish fighters.
From the Navy side, the frigate "Psara" participating in patrols in the Aegean participated in the investigations, together with its organic helicopter and an Aegean Hawk helicopter that took off from the naval fort in Kotroni Marathon.
The first announcement of the General Staff of Aviation
Investigations are underway to locate an M2000-5 aircraft off Skyros, according to the initial announcement of the General Staff of the Hellenic Air Force.
According to an announcement by the General Staff of the Hellenic Air Force today at 12:15, there was a loss of contact of an M2000-5 aircraft, nine (9) nautical miles northeast of Skyros Island.
What the Turks say about the Greek Mirage
The news of the fall of the Greek Mirage 2000-5 fighter type is broadcast by the Turkish media, citing the publications of the Greek media.
The news television station Heberturk, in response to Mahmut Gurer from Ankara, broadcast that according to sources of the Turkish armed forces at the time when the Greek Mirage 2000-5 crashed in the Aegean, there was no presence of Turkish fighters in the area. The news is broadcast by the Athenian News Agency.
"A Greek pilot is missing after the Mirage 2000-5 plane crashed in the Aegean Sea," the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports on its website.
Citing ERT, the Turkish newspaper reports that "the fighter is believed to have crashed near the island of Skyros".
However, as the fighter transmits, "it allegedly interfered with Turkish jets".
"ERT claims that the aircraft was part of the double patrol that prevented the Turkish fighter jets," Hurriyet writes.
The Turkish Daily Sabah also refers to the fall of the Mirage 2000-5, citing sources from the Greek Ministry of Defense. Sabah reports that the fighter was returning "from a patrol" in the Aegean. He added that "there is no information on the causes of the crash."
The Mirage 2000-5
The Mirage 2000-5 is part of the acquisition program for a total of 25 aircraft of this type. The 15 were acquired by France, while the remaining 10 are PA M2000 aircraft, which were upgraded to M2000-5, at the ODA factory.
The upgrade included the replacement of all electronic equipment and portable weapons, making it one of the most capable interception aircraft.
Technical characteristics / Performance
- Crew: 1
- Engine: by pass turbofan SNECMA M53 P2 jet engine with afterburner / Equal: 9.8 tons (21,400 pounds)
- Wing extension: 9.13m
- Length: 14.36m
- Maximum speed: 2,530km / h or 2.2 Mach
- Maximum height: Over 15,240m. or 50.000 feet