Greek F-16 crashes, pilot ejects to safety

ATHENS, June 2 (AFP) – A Greek air force pilot Monday survived the crash of his F16 fighter plane by ejecting to safety, military sources said.

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Nea Anchialos air base in central Greece. The pilot was taken to hospital but suffered no injuries.

The plane crashed in a field five kilometers (three miles) to the north of the air base and damaged no property on the ground, the air force spokesman told AFP.

The cause of the crash has not been established, but engine failure seemed most likely, air force sources said. The semi-official Athens News Agency (ANA) said there were indications that a bird was caught in the engine, without citing sources.

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