A Greek military F-4 Phantom crashed on Saturday during the annual Athens Flying Week at Tanagra Air Base and ignited a fire visible to thousands of onlookers north of the capital.

The two-person aircraft failed while flying near the ground. No spectators were injured. Greek air force officials did not comment at once on the pilots as flames slowed rescue work 40 miles from Athens.

Eleven planes and helicopters dropping water joined 85 firefighters to hold the fire, which remained far from the audience.