25.02.2026 11:42
The crash of an F-16 fighter jet belonging to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir has plunged Turkey into mourning, while the only remnants of the late Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, who was martyred in the accident, are the footage he provided for the Turkish Armed Forces' New Year celebration video in 2020. In the footage, the martyred pilot Bolat is seen delivering the message, "We are here for our future in the skies."
The F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed in the rural area of Naifli village, which is part of the central district of Karesi in Balıkesir, on the İzmir-Istanbul highway.
Despite opening his parachute during the horrific accident, Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat was martyred due to the short distance. Only the footage recorded in 2020 remains of him.
FEATURED IN NEW YEAR CELEBRATION VIDEO
It has emerged that the martyred pilot Bolat, who was serving at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya at the time, appeared in front of the camera for the Turkish Armed Forces' New Year celebration video.
"WE ARE HERE FOR OUR FUTURE IN THE SKIES"
In the video, Bolat is seen shaking hands with his team and boarding the fighter jet, delivering the message "We are here for our future in the skies" from the aircraft's cockpit.
HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
The F-16 aircraft, which took off for a mission flight from the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command, crashed shortly after takeoff around 00:50. The wreckage of the aircraft fell by the roadside in the Karesi area of the Istanbul-İzmir highway.
Upon notification, security forces, firefighters, and medical teams were dispatched to the area. Investigations revealed that the pilot, Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, was martyred. While the aircraft's parts spread over a wide area, teams continue their work in the region. Following the accident, the Istanbul-İzmir highway was also closed to traffic in both directions.
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
In a statement regarding the incident, the Ministry of National Defense said, "Contact and tracking information with our F-16 aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command-Balıkesir, was lost as of 00:56. It has been determined that our aircraft has crashed, and the wreckage has been reached. Our pilot has been martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined as a result of the investigations by the crash investigation team."
"CONDOLENCES TO OUR NATION"
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, speaking to the press about the accident, said, "May our nation's head be healthy. We are at the scene, and according to the information we received, our F-16 aircraft from the 9th Main Jet Command crashed shortly after takeoff. Unfortunately, we have one martyr, and we have reached his remains. The accident site is by the roadside in the Karesi area of Balıkesir on the Istanbul-İzmir highway."
"AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED"
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek also made a statement on his social media account, saying, "Our F-16 aircraft belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight, and a heroic pilot has been martyred. Our Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation regarding the incident, and our Chief Prosecutor, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, and two Public Prosecutors have proceeded to the accident site. I wish God's mercy upon our martyr, and I extend my condolences to his grieving family and loved ones. I wish patience and fortitude to our Turkish Armed Forces. May our esteemed nation be healthy."
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM MINISTER GÜLER
National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler also published a condolence message. The message stated, "Our heroic comrade has been martyred as a result of the crash of our F-16 aircraft on February 25, 2026. I wish God's mercy upon our heroic martyr on behalf of myself and the members of the Ministry of National Defense; I extend my condolences and patience to his grieving family and our noble nation."
Efforts that began in the area where the accident occurred and continued throughout the night are ongoing as daylight breaks. With the removal of the wreckage, the closed highway is expected to be reopened to traffic.