ANN REALTIME REPORTING 05.23.06 1330 EDT: One pilot is still unaccounted for after two F-16s -- one Greek, the other from NATO ally but historic rival Turkey -- collided over a disputed section of the southern Aegean Sea Tuesday. The Turkish pilot was able to eject safely and has been rescued, but helicopter crews are still searching for the pilot of the Greek jet -- one of two that was scrambled to intercept three Turkish aircraft.

Media reports indicate Greece sent two F-16s to intercept two Turkish F-16s and an RF-4 reconnaisance jet that had flown into the Athens "flight information region", a disputed area over the Aegean Sea. The two countries have a long-standing dispute over the Aegean, with Turkey insisting that Greek airspace only extends six miles offshore, and Greece maintaining its authority extends 10 miles out.

The midair collision comes after years of similar interception exercises in the area. The two countries have come close to armed conflict in the past over the dispute.

"It was likely an interception operation," Greek government spokesman Evangelos Antonaro told the BBC, adding the planes may have touched wingtips.

In past interception exercises, pilots on both sides have shadowed each other, and have even staged mock dogfights -- a practice that NATO has warned both sides could be dangerous.

Foreign ministers from Greece and Turkey were quick to downplay the potential for escalated tensions in the wake of the accident.

"The two foreign ministers expressed their regret at today's incident and agreed that this should not affect the two countries' efforts to improve their relations," the Greek Foreign Ministry said, after Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul called his Greek counterpart, Dora Bakoyann.

Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul added that military officials from both countries are discussing the ramifications of the accident.

"We are also waiting for exact information," he said.

FMI: www.haf.gr/default_en.asp, www.tuaf.mil.tr/default.asp