Spanish EF-18 Hornet Crashes Killing Pilot

Experienced Spanish Air Force pilot dies in EF-18 Hornet crash near Teruel.

An F-18 Hornet of the Spanish Air Force crashed near Peralejos in the province of Teruel, in eastern Spain, around 12:30PM LT on Friday Oct. 4, 2024, resulting in the death of the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martín. The 49-year-old officer, highly regarded within the Ejército del Aire y el Espacio, was unable to eject from the EF-18M (in accordance with the local designation with E standing for Espana – Spain), leading to his immediate death upon impact, according to the Air Force’s official statement.

🔴 ÚLTIMA HORA | Un F18 del Ala 12 ha sufrido un accidente en las cercanías de Teruel.

Los medios de rescate han sido activados y estamos en proceso de búsqueda del piloto.

Les seguiremos informando a la mayor brevedad posible.

Gracias por su paciencia.

— Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (@EjercitoAire) October 4, 2024

The aircraft belonged to Ala 12 (12th Wing), a unit stationed at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base near Madrid, which plays a vital role in Spain’s air defense and combat training. The crash occurred in a remote area 18 kilometers north of the capital city of Teruel. Lt. Col. Estrada, the sole victim of the accident, was on a training mission alongside another Hornet when the crash occurred.

Local authorities responded quickly to the incident. Peralejos’ mayor, Carlos López, recounted the events leading up to the crash. Here’s what he told local media:

I was working in the fields when I saw two fighter planes pass overhead. Moments later, I saw one of them go down in a place we call the Estrecho del Hornillo

López was among the first to arrive at the crash site, where he observed debris from the plane scattered across the area, accompanied by a small fire.

Authorities immediately dispatched emergency teams to the scene. Firefighters and Civil Protection units from both the regional government of Aragón and Spain’s central government were deployed to manage the situation. Officials confirmed that the accident occurred in a sparsely populated area, minimizing the risk to civilians.

Obviously, the precise cause of the crash remains undetermined. An investigation will review the flight’s sequence of events to determine whether environmental factors or human error may have played a role.

🔴 ÚLTIMA HORA | Lamentamos comunicar que se ha confirmado en el accidente del F-18 el fallecimiento de nuestro compañero, el teniente coronel Pablo Estrada Martín, destinado en el Ala 12.

Nos unimos al dolor de sus familiares y amigos. Descansa en paz, compañero. pic.twitter.com/OUim93TANr

— Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (@EjercitoAire) October 4, 2024

Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martín, born on September 24, 1975, was a highly decorated and experienced pilot. With over 2,358 flight hours logged throughout his career, including 970 hours in the F-18 fighter jet, he was considered a key figure within the Air Force. Estrada had served in numerous high-ranking capacities, including as Chief of Air Force Operations for the 12th Wing, and was a graduate of the 51st promotion of the Spanish Air and Space Force Academy. Over the course of his career, he was awarded three decorations for Aeronautical Merit, as well as the prestigious Cross and Commandery of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo. Additionally, he received NATO’s Medal No. 5 for his participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Spain’s fleet of F-18 Hornets, procured beginning in the mid-1980s, remains a critical asset for the Spanish Air Force. Originally, Spain acquired 72 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets. These jets have been upgraded over the years to maintain their effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat roles. To enhance their operational reach, Spain also added 24 former U.S. Navy Hornets to the fleet, deploying them in key areas, including the Canary Islands. Despite their extensive modernization, the fleet’s age has led to growing maintenance challenges, particularly concerning the engines and avionics.

On May 20, 2023, an EF-18M, belonging to Ala 15, crashed during a solo display rehearsal at Zaragoza Air Base. The pilot managed to eject successfully but suffered significant injuries. While the pilot’s quick actions saved his life, the crash raised concerns about the reliability of Spain’s aging fleet of F-18 fighter jets, which have been in service for decades.

Previously, on Oct. 17, 2017, a pilot lost his life in the crash of an EF-18M Hornet belonging to the Ala 12 during a take off incident at Torrejon Air Base.