On Wednesday morning, near the city of Balikesir in western Turkey, a military F-16 fighter jet crashed. The aircraft, belonging to the Turkish Air Force, crashed in close proximity to the busy Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir highway shortly after takeoff. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the pilot's death. Rescue services and prosecutors are working at the scene to determine the exact causes of this tragic failure during a training flight.

Death of the Fighter Jet Pilot

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense officially confirmed the death of the pilot of the F-16 aircraft, which was involved in an accident during a training flight.

Crash Near Highway

The plane crashed in close proximity to the Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir route in the Balikesir region, leading to traffic disruptions.

Investigation Launched

The Chief Prosecutor's Office in Balikesir and military experts are investigating the causes of the incident, analyzing aircraft parameters and witness recordings.

A tragic accident involving a multi-role F-16 fighter jet occurred on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The aircraft took off from the 9th Main Air Base in Balikesir for a routine training mission. Just minutes after takeoff, for reasons still unexplained, the pilot lost control of the plane, which crashed to the ground near a key transportation artery connecting Istanbul with Izmir. Witnesses traveling on the highway recorded the moment of impact, followed by a powerful explosion and a fireball visible from many kilometers away. The victim of the crash is an experienced military pilot, whose death was officially confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense. Turkish authorities have posthumously granted the deceased the honorary status of martyr, a traditional form of commemoration for soldiers who die in the line of duty. Numerous fire brigade, gendarmerie, and medical rescue teams immediately arrived at the scene. The section of highway in the crash area was temporarily closed to traffic to allow investigators to secure the wreckage and conduct necessary examinations of the crash site. Turkey has been operating American F-16 fighter jets since the 1980s, possessing one of the largest fleets of these aircraft in the region. Most of them were produced under license by the domestic company Turkish Aerospace Industries, making these units a key element of the country's defense strategy within NATO. The investigation, currently led by the military prosecutor's office and a special aircraft accident investigation commission, is focusing on two main hypotheses: an engine technical failure and pilot error during difficult takeoff conditions. Experts note that training flights near major transportation hubs always carry an elevated risk, and the pilot's quick reaction may have prevented a direct impact on traffic lanes occupied by civilian vehicles. Condolences to the family of the deceased were offered by high-ranking state officials, including the Minister of National Defense and the Air Force command. „Kahraman silah arkadaşımız, 25 Şubat 2026 tarihinde uçağımızın düşmesi sonucu şehit olmuştur.” (Our heroic comrade-in-arms was martyred on February 25, 2026, as a result of our aircraft's crash.) — Yaşar Güler

Mentioned People

  • Yaşar Güler — Turkish Minister of National Defense, who offered official condolences.
  • İbrahim Bolat — Pilot of the F-16 fighter jet who died in the crash.