Panic swept through a massive crowd gathered along San Lorenzo Bay in Gijón, Asturias, on Sunday, when a Spanish fighter jet, Air Force EF-18 Hornet, appeared to nearly crash during an airshow. The heart-stopping moment, captured by numerous spectators on their phones, showed the fighter jet flying low over the sea before sharply rolling right and suddenly descending, black smoke trailing behind.
The aircraft regained altitude just in time, narrowly avoiding what many feared could be a disaster. Thousands watched in horror, and social media was soon flooded with videos of the incident, which quickly went viral.
Spanish Air Force Responds: “It Was a Bird Strike Evasion”
In a public statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Spanish Air Force clarified that the maneuver was not a mechanical failure or pilot error but a calculated response to a sudden threat.
“Many of you have been asking us, so in this thread, we’ll tell you what happened during the Gijón air festival,” the Air Force wrote. “As you have seen, one of our F-18 fighters performed an evasive manoeuvre upon detecting a flock of birds in its path. This action is part of the standard protocol to preserve both the pilot’s safety and the public’s security.”
Bird strikes remain a significant danger to aircraft, particularly during low-altitude displays near populated areas. The Spanish Air Force emphasized the split-second judgment required in such situations and praised the pilot’s training and professionalism.
“Our aviators are trained to react in milliseconds to any unforeseen event,” the Air Force added. “In this case, the pilot acted with exemplary speed and professionalism, avoiding a possible collision without compromising the exhibition.”
The incident did not result in any injuries, and the rest of the airshow reportedly continued without further issue.
Air Force Reassures Public: Safety Remains Paramount
The military concluded its statement by thanking attendees for their support and reiterating its commitment to public safety.
“Safety is, and will continue to be, our top priority at every air show. Thank you to all attendees for your enthusiasm and trust. Let’s keep flying together.”
