Tragedy Over Majorca: Former U.S. Navy Pilot and Son Killed in Plane Crash

A breathtaking aerial stunt over the waters of Majorca ended in heartbreak when a small sport plane crashed into the sea, claiming the lives of a former American fighter pilot and his 13-year-old son.

The accident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, near the scenic Soller lighthouse, as the two-seat Team Rocket F-4 Raider performed a series of aerobatic maneuvers—including 360-degree turns—before plunging into waters approximately 30 meters deep.

A Day Meant for Flying Turns Fatal

The aircraft had departed from Binissalem Aerodrome around 6 p.m., reportedly for a recreational flight. Witnesses said the plane had been performing what they described as “daring but legal” stunts when it suddenly lost control and slammed into the sea just 100 meters from shore.

Video footage captured from the beach shows the moment the aircraft disappears beneath the waves, sending up a plume of water as onlookers watched in horror.

Massive Search and Grim Discovery

Emergency crews sprang into action, launching a large-scale search and rescue effort involving the Spanish Civil Guard, the Navy, Air Force, and Maritime Safety Agency. Divers from the Civil Guard’s elite GEA unit located the wreckage and later recovered the bodies of the two victims.

The pilot, identified only as a 60-year-old ex-U.S. Navy combat aviator, had reportedly flown carrier-based jets such as the F-14 and F/A-18. He had since transitioned to a career in commercial aviation and was living in Germany, maintaining a holiday home in Majorca. His son, just 13, was his only passenger.

Both victims have yet to be formally named by Spanish authorities.

Questions Remain

While the wreckage has been recovered and the bodies transported to the Port of Soller, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. According to officials, the aircraft appeared to be in normal operation before the dive, with no immediate signs of mechanical failure.

For locals and aviation enthusiasts alike, the tragedy casts a dark shadow over what was meant to be a picturesque summer evening.

A Legacy in the Sky

Friends and media outlets have described the pilot as a highly experienced aviator, with decades of flight time and a deep passion for flying. That he died doing what he loved—with his son by his side—makes the tragedy all the more profound.

As authorities continue their investigation, the community mourns the loss of two lives that took flight, and fell, together.