BALIKESIR, February 25, 2026 (Agencies): A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training mission in western Türkiye early Wednesday, killing the pilot, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, assigned to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Bal?kesir, took off shortly after midnight but lost radio and radar contact minutes later. Search-and-rescue teams located the wreckage near the Bursa–Izmir highway in Bal?kesir’s Karesi district, close to Naipli village. Emergency responders secured the crash site, where debris was scattered across the area.
The Ministry of National Defense identified the pilot as Major Ibrahim Bolat, who was declared “martyred” in the line of duty. Officials said the cause of the accident remains unknown and will be determined following a technical investigation by a crash assessment team.
Bal?kesir Governor ?smail Ustao?lu confirmed the incident occurred during a routine flight and extended condolences to the pilot’s family. Justice Minister Ak?n Gürlek announced that the Bal?kesir Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a formal investigation, with forensic teams dispatched to examine the wreckage and collect evidence.
Footage circulating on social media showed emergency vehicles rushing to the scene, with first responders working under floodlights to secure the area. No preliminary findings regarding mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human error have yet been released.
The jet involved was an F-16C Block 40, a single-seat variant introduced in the late 1980s. The Block 40 series is equipped with advanced avionics, night-attack capabilities, and upgraded radar systems. Türkiye operates more than 230 F-16s, primarily Block 30, Block 40, and Block 50 variants, many of which were co-produced under agreements with the United States.
The crash highlights ongoing challenges for Türkiye’s aging fleet of F-16s, which remain the backbone of its air force. Ankara has launched modernization programs to extend the life of its fighters, including avionics upgrades and weapons integration, while also pursuing the development of its indigenous TF-X “Kaan” fighter jet, intended to eventually replace the F-16 fleet.