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Fernando Perez Serrano, 26, reportedly lost power after take off and hit the ground in the air base.

Huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the plane after the incident at 11am local time this morning.

The Spanish Ministry of Defence revealed the wrecked aircraft is an F18 of the Air Force’s 12th wing.

The President of the Community of Madrid, Cristina Cifuentes, confirmed the fighter pilot’s death.

She said: “We know that the pilot has died and from this moment give condolences to the family, the Armed Forces, the Air Force and the Spanish army as a whole for this great tragedy that joins the parade of 12 of October.”

(Image: TWITTER/A3NOTICIAS)

The Air Force has since also confirmed the death and opened an investigation into the incident.

The country’s Defence Minister Maria Dolores Cospedal said: “I regret the death of lieutenant Perez Serrano. My condolences and best wishes to his family and support and solidarity to the Spanish Air Force.”

Just five days ago, a Spanish Air Force Eurofighter crashed near a public park south of Madrid after returning from a military display.

The pilot’s wife and young baby were waiting for him at the air base before the tragic crash.

Last week a US military chopper crashed in Japan just hours after military aircraft took part in war drills near North Korea.

Additional reporting by Gerard Couzens