On 28 August 1988 , in the Ramstein air show disaster , 70 people lost their lives due to the mid-air collision of three Frecce Tricolori jets . The burning jets broke up and crashed ; one hit a crowd of spectators . The other two crashed into the rear of the flight line , where rescue helicopters were staged . One reason why there were so many burn victims and deaths was not only did they have the longest performance , they crashed during their first maneuver , " The Piercing of the Heart " , and their planes were full of fuel . Three of the other aircraft flew through the fire and debris and made emergency landings at a base north of Ramstein . Although severely damaged , the pilots elected to stay with their aircraft and flew in a " Missing Man " formation as they exited Ramstein air space . Officially , the cause of the crash was pilot error on behalf of the soloist .
Ramstein air show disaster
Ramstein air show disaster
Frecce Tricolori