---
title: "Spanish EF-18 Hornet Crashes During Airshow Practice Flight"
description: "A Spanish Air Force pilot was taken to hospital with injuries after ejecting from his [EF-18 Hornet]() before a crash at Zaragoza Air Base."
date: "2023-05-20"
modified: "2023-05-20"
authors:
  - name: "Stetson Payne"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/stetson-payne"
url: "https://www.twz.com/spanish-ef-18-hornet-crashes-during-airshow-practice-flight"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "Around The Globe"
  - "Europe"
  - "F/A-18"
  - "Fighters"
  - "News & Features"
---

# Spanish EF-18 Hornet Crashes During Airshow Practice Flight

![EF18 Crash Spain Hornet](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20/ef18crashcomposite-copy.jpg>)
*Via Twitter*

A Spanish Air Force pilot was taken to hospital with injuries after ejecting from his [EF-18 Hornet](<https://www.twz.com/australias-mothballed-f-a-18-hornets-should-be-given-to-ukraine>) before a crash at Zaragoza Air Base.

Video shows the EF-18 in a steep climb before pitching over, then after a brief moment of level flight, careening nose down into the ground. You can also hear a sharp throttle adjustment during the pitch-over maneuver. The pilot ejects just before the jet impacts the ground, resulting in a huge fireball. Citing Spain's Civil Guard, the [*Associated Press* reported](<https://apnews.com/article/spain-zaragoza-crash-f18-aircraft-pilot-da141e5bff64ce72e6a54e4bbf5cab43?taid=6468fbfc2554420001a16505&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter>) the pilot suffered leg injuries from the low-altitude ejection.

https://twitter.com/mgonzalezelpais/status/1659911295611678722?s=20

https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1659968003058925570

https://twitter.com/aviationbrk/status/1659893416912666624

https://twitter.com/fl360aero/status/1659915070392999939?s=20

Spanish news agency *EFE* reported the EF-18 was practicing for an airshow when the crash occurred. In a tweet, the Spanish Air and Space Force confirmed the EF-18 was one of the 15th Wing's jets, which operates multiple squadrons of Hornets at Zaragoza. Spain is in the process of [replacing its Hornet fleet](<https://www.twz.com/37165/spain-to-buy-more-eurofighter-typhoons-to-replace-aging-f-a-18-hornet-fighter-jets>), designated "EF-18" for "**España**," with Eurofighter Typhoons, although the type will serve into the end of the decade before that process is completed.

*Contact the author: [stetson.payne@thewarzone.com](<mailto:stetson.payne@thewarzone.com>)*

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