Fighter pilot's offspring, a 13-year old, and the former pilot himself confirmed deceased in plane crash off the coast of Majorca with video footage showcasing mid-air stunt preluding the accident
In a tragic turn of events, a former US military fighter pilot and his 13-year-old son lost their lives when their two-seat Team Rocket F-4 Raider sport plane crashed into the sea off the coast of Majorca on August 2, 2025.
The incident occurred around 8:20 PM, with the plane going down approximately 100 meters from the shore near the Soller lighthouse. The plane was seen crashing into the sea near Soller, and witnesses reported seeing the pilot performing daring but legal air acrobatics before the impact.
The aircraft had departed from Binissalem Aerodrome at around 6:00 PM on the same day. Initially, the number of people onboard was unknown, but it was later confirmed that only the pilot and his son were involved in the crash.
Specialists and Civil Guard diving teams recovered the bodies from the seabed the next day. The bodies of the pilot and his son were taken to Soller Port.
The Civil Guard in Majorca mobilized for the emergency response, involving coastguards, the Navy, Air Force, the Soller Fire Station, and the Maritime Safety Agency. The search for the two occupants of the plane is continuing this morning.
The 60-year-old pilot is a former American military combat pilot who lives in Germany. He is said to have a holiday home in Majorca and is currently working as a commercial pilot. The exact identities of the pilot and his son have not yet been officially named.
The crash has been extensively covered by international and Spanish media, highlighting both the pilot’s military background and the tragic loss. The plane wreckage was found near the tourist hotspot, adding to the gravity of the situation.
[1] Civil Guard Statement [2] Majorca Daily News [4] BBC News [5] CNN News
- Despite the focus on general news, the tragic car-accidents involving a former US military fighter pilot and his son receiving wide coverage, with sources like Majorca Daily News, BBC News, and CNN News reporting on the incident extensively.
- The sports world mourned the loss of the former US military fighter pilot and his son, who perished in a car-accidents involving their Team Rocket F-4 Raider sport plane, with many expressing their condolences over the sad news.
