Ex-fighter pilot and son, 13, feared dead after plane crashed off Majorca
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN EX-military fighter pilot and his teen son are feared dead after their plane crashed into the sea off Majorca.
Specialist divers are searching for the occupants after locating the wreckage of a two-seat sport plane was found near the tourist hotspot.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Specialist divers are searching for the occupants
Credit: Solarpix
5
The plane is understood to be a Team Rocket F-4 Raider
Credit: Solarpix
5
An ex-military fighter pilot and his teen son are feared dead
Credit: SOLARPIX
5
A helicopter searches for survivors
Credit: Solarpix
The plane, a Team Rocket F-4 Raider, was seen crashing into the sea near Soller just after 8pm yesterday.
It had reportedly been seen doing air acrobatics including 'daring but legal' 360-Degree turns.
One of the occupants is said to be a former American military combat pilot aged around 60 who lives in Germany.
He has a holiday home in Majorca, and is understood to currently work as a commercial pilot.
Majorcan newspaper Ultima Hora reports that the second person feared dead in the crash was the pilot's 13-year-old son.
Spanish police have not yet commented on the identities of the occupants of the plane.
A Civil Guard spokesperson said early this morning: "The search for two occupants is continuing this morning following the plane accident yesterday evening.
"The accident happened around 8pm opposite the Soller lighthouse and in waters about 30 metres deep.
"Specialists from the Civil Guard's elite GEA diving unit, the Maritime Service and the Air Service are still conducting a search."
In an initial statement late yesterday the force said: "The two-seater plane had left Binissalem Aerodrome around 6pm yesterday and the accident happened around 100 metres from the coast opposite the lighthouse in Soller Port.
"The remains of the plane have been located but we still have no information about the number of people inside.
"We have spoken to an eye-witness on a boat who saw the accident."
5
One of the occupants is said to be a former American military combat pilot
Credit: Solarpix
More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
a minute ago
- Scottish Sun
Zoo asks for unwanted pets to be used as meat to feed captive predators so ‘nothing goes to waste'
The controversy follows similar a incident in Germany where 12 healthy baboons were killed ZOO WHAT? Zoo asks for unwanted pets to be used as meat to feed captive predators so 'nothing goes to waste' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A ZOO has ruffled more than a few feathers after asking the public to hand over their unwanted pets to feed its captive predators. Aalborg Zoo, in Denmark, asked for healthy small animals such as rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs to be used as meat for feeding time. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Aalborg Zoo has asked the public to hand over their unwanted pets to be used as meat for its predators Credit: Alamy 4 Keepers said the healthy animals such as rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs will be used to feed its carnivore beasts Credit: Getty 4 The Danish zoo said the move was as a way to ensure 'nothing goes to waste' Credit: Alamy Keepers said each donor could donate up to four animals which could then be euthanised before being fed to the carnivore creatures. In a social media appeal, the northern Jutland zoo said: "Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators. "Especially the European lynx, which needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild." The zoo also announced it is open to taking horses, provided the proper paperwork is in order – with Danish law even allowing for tax deductions under certain circumstances for horse donations. Read more on zoos LEOPARD ATTACK Zoo worker critical after being mauled in neck by a leopard in horror attack The move was defended by the zoo as a way to ensure "nothing goes to waste". But the internet wasn't having it. One user fumed on Instagram: "Shame on you." Another said: "Asking people to send healthy animals that they don't want any more to you, so they can be slaughtered and fed to the zoo animals is one of the weirdest things I ever read." Punctuating their comment with a green vomit emoji, a third wrote: "Go vegan and stop supporting zoos." The controversy comes hot on the heels of a gruesome incident in Germany, where Nuremberg Zoo killed 12 healthy baboons due to overcrowding. Keepers then fed their carcasses to lions, tigers, and wolves. Another Chinese zoo scandal as hugely obese PANTHER leaves fans shocked The baboons reportedly had their hands and feet removed before being served up in front of horrified visitors. German zoo officials defended the culling as a last resort, but the backlash was swift. This isn't Denmark's first incident with zoo-related fury. In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo sparked massive outrage after it killed a healthy young giraffe named Marius over genetic concerns. His body was publicly dissected as part of an "educational demonstration". Meanwhile, in China, distressing footage of a shockingly obese panther sparked fury among animal lovers. The video captured the moment a large black panther waddled around its enclosure, struggling to walk as its huge belly visibly hung out. The big cat seemingly tried to hide behind a tree, but its bloated stomach made the usually svelte and streamlined animal easy to spot. The shocking footage was filmed at the Chengdu Zoo in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in China and images were shared online on March 9. The next day, the zoo told local media that the black panther was very old and a female aged 16-years-old. The zoo also said the panther's body functions and metabolism were not in a good condition. However, the panther's condition sparked backlash with comments saying many of the zoo's animals are too fat due to being overfed.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani, 47, dies while on wreck diving expedition as pals battled to save him
SEA TRAGEDY Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani, 47, dies while on wreck diving expedition as pals battled to save him Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SHIPWRECK explorer has died on a wreck diving expedition as his pals battled to save him. Joe Mazraanie, 48, was diving to the The Big Engine Steamer skipwreck off Cape Cod, Massachusetts when he got into trouble. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up He was diving with a group from his boat on 29 July when he reportedly suffered a medical emergency. Other divers rushed to get him back to the boat and perform first aid on the 48-year-old but were unable to save him. His cause of death has not yet been revealed as full investigation remains ongoing. In a statement, his firm said there is "no reason to suspect diver or equipment failure."
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Denmark's Aalborg Zoo says donate your pets to feed our predators
The zoo, located in Denmark's North Jutland region, argued it has a responsibility to mimic the natural food chain among animals. Donated animals are "gently euthanized" by its staff before being served as fodder. The zoo discussed the feeding donation program in a Facebook post on July 31, garnering dozens of reactions, including many who pushed back on the initiative. Animals: Zoo camera captures rare moment endangered 'African unicorn' calf takes his first steps Zoo shares rules for animal donations The zoo accepts guinea pigs, chickens, and rabbits on weekdays. Donors are allowed to give four at a time. On its website, the Aalborg Zoo explained that there are specific requirements for those who want to donate horses: The horse must have a passport and be considered in a "safe condition" for transportation. The animal must be a maximum of roughly 58 inches. The horse could not have been treated for an illness within the last 30 days, at least. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
