Turkish F-16 Crashes in Balıkesir, Pilot Killed
Turkish F-16 Crashes in Balıkesir, Pilot Killed
A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Türkiye early Wednesday, resulting in the death of the pilot, the Ministry of National Defense confirmed.
According to the ministry, radio contact and tracking signals were lost shortly after the aircraft took off at 12:56 a.m. local time from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir.
Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the area, and the wreckage was later located.
"Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following a detailed investigation by the crash examination team," the ministry said in an official statement, expressing condolences to the pilot's family.
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu also conveyed his condolences.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that the Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an official investigation into the incident. The chief public prosecutor, deputy chief public prosecutor, and two additional prosecutors have arrived at the crash site to oversee the inquiry.
Authorities stated that a comprehensive technical investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Incident summary
- Time: 12:56 a.m. local, Feb 25, 2026
- Location: Balıkesir, western Türkiye
- Aircraft: F-16 fighter jet
- Pilot status: killed (martyred)
- Investigation: crash examination team + prosecutor's office
