Turkish F-16 crashes during training flight, pilot killed

2026-02-25 - 07:58

A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed overnight during a training mission, killing its pilot, Turkish media reported. The aircraft took off from Balikesir Air Force Base in northwestern Turkey at 12:56 a.m. local time. Reports said contact with the jet was lost shortly after takeoff. Search and rescue teams were dispatched immediately, and the wreckage was later located near a road in the area. Officials confirmed that the pilot was killed in the crash. Footage allegedly showed the initial moments of the F-16 crash on the Balıkesir highway in Turkey. pic.twitter.com/doWjW1sHZ3 — Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) February 25, 2026 The cause of the accident remains under investigation and will be determined following a probe by an accident investigation team.