Watch video: Turkish Air Force F-16 crashes during a ‘mission flight’ in Balıkesir killing pilot; probe launched

Turkey F-16 crash: A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed in Balıkesir in western Türkiye late Monday night, killing the pilot, authorities said. The incident occurred near the Bursa–Izmir highway, prompting an immediate emergency response.

According to APA, citing Turkish media, ambulances and police vehicles rushed to the crash site after reports of the accident. Videos circulating online showed debris scattered across the ground as locals gathered near the scene.



Moments after F-16 down in Turkey

The aircraft, assigned to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir, went down around 00:50 local time (22:50 GMT on February 24). Officials said radio communication and radar tracking were lost shortly after takeoff at 00:56. Search-and-rescue teams were deployed immediately and later confirmed the crash, locating the wreckage at the site.

In an official statement, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence said, "A Turkish Air Force F-16 aircraft that took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command-Balıkesir lost radio contact and tracking information starting from 00:56. As a result of the search and rescue efforts immediately initiated, it was determined that our aircraft had crashed, and the wreckage of the aircraft has been located. Our pilot has become a martyr. The cause of the accident will be determined following the investigation to be conducted by the accident investigation team.”


Following the crash, Akın Gürlek, Turkey’s Justice Minister, announced that a formal investigation has been launched. The Balıkesir Public Prosecutor’s Office has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a post on X, Gürlek said, "An F-16 aircraft belonging to the squadron of the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed during a mission flight, and one of our heroic pilots has been martyred. The Balıkesir Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the incident, and our prosecutor, deputy prosecutor, and two prosecutors have gone to the crash site."

Authorities said the exact cause of the crash will be determined after a detailed technical and operational investigation.