US-Made F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes, Lost Shortly After Takeoff

A United States-made F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Turkish military crashed early Wednesday, 25 February 2026. The aircraft was lost shortly after taking off from Balikesir at 00:56 local time.

According to AFP, citing Anadolu Agency, a search and rescue operation was launched shortly after the incident was reported. The rescue team subsequently discovered aircraft wreckage at the crash site.

“Our pilot has been killed,” the Ministry of Defence stated, conveying condolences to the pilot’s family.

“The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the accident investigation team,” it added.

This incident comes several months after Turkey suspended flights of its C-130 cargo aircraft in November following a crash in neighbouring Georgia whilst returning from Azerbaijan, which killed all 20 people aboard.

The crash of the F-16 fighter jet, produced by Lockheed Martin, represents one of several incidents involving the aircraft type in the past six months. In January, a Taiwanese F-16 crashed into the sea during a routine mission. The pilot, who ejected over the water, was reported missing.

In Poland, an F-16 crashed in August during rehearsals for an air show, killing the pilot.