A tragic incident occurred on Friday, October 4, when an F-18 fighter jet from the Spanish Air Force crashed in Peralejos, a municipality about 20 kilometers north of Teruel. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martín, unfortunately lost his life after failing to eject in time.

What Happened

The crash took place shortly after 1:00 pm, creating a large plume of smoke and igniting a nearby forest fire. Firefighters from the Diputación de Teruel and the Guardia Civil quickly arrived to manage the situation. Fortunately, officials confirmed that the jet was not armed at the time of the accident, and an investigation is underway to determine what caused the crash.

The Spanish Air Force announced the tragedy on social media, first noting that search and rescue efforts were in progress before confirming the death of Lieutenant Colonel Estrada.

Community Support

Fernando Beltrán, the government delegate in Aragón, visited the crash site and extended his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen pilot, who served with great dedication. ‘We send our heartfelt sympathies to those mourning Lieutenant Colonel Estrada, who died in the line of duty,’ he expressed.

This crash echoes a similar tragedy that struck Peralejos 40 years ago, when two Air Force captains lost their lives in a Phantom aircraft accident during a training exercise. Coincidentally, a memorial event was set for this Monday to honor those captains who died in 1984.

Remembering Lieutenant Colonel Estrada

Lieutenant Colonel Estrada had a distinguished career, logging over 1,500 flight hours as an F-18 pilot. Just a few months ago, he led a mission for the Air Force at the Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment in Lithuania, focused on safeguarding Baltic airspace. The Spanish Air Force shared their grief online, stating, ‘We share in the sorrow of his family and friends. Rest in peace, comrade.’

🔴 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

The F-18s are primarily operated by the 12th Wing based in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), as well as the 15th Wing in Zaragoza and the 46th Wing in Gando (Gran Canaria). Having been introduced to Spain in 1986, these aircraft are slated for replacement in the coming years, starting with those in Gando, which will be swapped out for Eurofighter jets. The fate of the remaining Spanish fighter jets is still uncertain, including the possibility of acquiring U.S. F-35s as replacements.

In July of last year, the Council of Ministers approved a budget of 50 million euros for spare parts and maintenance of the F-18s still in service, aiming to keep them operational until 2035.

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