Turkish F-16 Fighter Jet Crash in Balikesir Kills 1 - The State Signal

Turkish F-16 Fighter Jet Crash in Balikesir Kills 1

ByThe State Signal Newsdesk

TURKEY – A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crash in Balikesir province early Wednesday killed the pilot, according to the country’s National Defense Ministry.

Radio contact and tracking information was lost with the aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balikesir at 12.56 a.m. local time (2156GMT Tuesday), the ministry said in a statement.

Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, and the wreckage was subsequently located, it added.

Turkish F-16 Fighter Jet Crash in Balikesir Kills 1 - The State Signal
BALIKESIR, TURKEY: Emergency services work at the scene after a Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Balikesir province killing the pilot on February 25, 2026. ( Mustafa Yılmaz – Anadolu Agency )

“Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team,” the ministry said, offering its condolences to the pilot’s family.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu​​​​​​​ also offered his condolences.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an official investigation into the crash.

Gurlek said the chief public prosecutor, deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have arrived at the scene of the accident.

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