25.02.2026 06:20
An F-16 fighter jet belonging to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed during a mission flight. Tragically, one of our pilots was martyred as a result of the accident.
It has been reported that an F-16 aircraft belonging to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed during a mission flight. One of our pilots was martyred in the accident.
WRECKAGE OF THE AIRCRAFT REACHED
The wreckage of the aircraft that fell near the village of Naipli in the Karesi district has been reached. The İzmir-Istanbul Highway was closed to traffic in the area where the F-16 aircraft crashed.
Teams are continuing their work in the region. The body of the martyred pilot has been taken to the Forensic Medicine Institution. It was announced that the cause of the accident would be determined after the investigation by the crash investigation team. It was reported that 1 chief prosecutor, 1 deputy chief prosecutor, and 2 prosecutors have also arrived at the scene. The Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has also launched an investigation into the accident.
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: CONTACT WAS LOST AT 00:56
The Ministry of National Defense announced that contact with the F-16 aircraft was lost at 00:56 and that the cause of the accident would be determined as a result of the investigations to be conducted.
The statement from the Ministry of National Defense included the following expressions: "Contact and tracking information with our F-16 aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir, was lost as of 00:56. As a result of the search and rescue efforts initiated immediately, it was determined that our aircraft had crashed, and the wreckage of our aircraft has been reached. Our pilot has been martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined as a result of the investigations to be conducted by the crash investigation team. We wish God's mercy upon our martyred pilot, and our condolences to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."
MINISTER OF JUSTICE AKIN GÜRLEK: INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that an investigation has been initiated regarding the plane crash. Gürlek stated, "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 arrived at the crash site."
INTERIOR MINISTRY: THE PROCESS IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED FROM ALL ASPECTS
The statement from the Ministry of Interior emphasized that the process is being closely monitored from all aspects and that there is full coordination with the relevant institutions.
GOVERNOR USTAOĞLU CONDUCTED INSPECTIONS IN THE REGION
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu visited the scene of the incident at the Naipli location of the İzmir-Istanbul Highway to conduct inspections.
Receiving information from local authorities, Ustaoğlu told AA correspondent that the F-16 aircraft belonging to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed shortly after takeoff.
Ustaoğlu stated that the pilot was martyred, saying, "We are currently at the scene. An incident is occurring at the Naipli location of the İzmir-Istanbul Highway. Our F-16 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. One of our pilots has also been martyred. I once again wish God's mercy upon our martyr and condolences to our nation."