25.02.2026 09:52
An F-16 aircraft belonging to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed during a mission flight. One pilot was martyred in the accident. While efforts continued in the area where the F-16 crashed with the first light of the morning, it was observed that a crater formed in the middle of the İzmir-Istanbul Highway after the aircraft fell and exploded.
The Ministry of National Defense announced that radio contact and tracking information were lost from 00:56 onwards with an F-16 aircraft taking off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir, and that the aircraft had crashed. Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat was martyred in the crashed aircraft.
HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
The İzmir-Istanbul Highway was closed to traffic at the location of the crash of the F-16 aircraft in the Naipli area.
CRATER FORMED ON THE HIGHWAY
The road where the aircraft crashed and was closed to traffic was captured in images with the first light of the morning. The images showed that a crater had formed on the road where the aircraft fell.
MOMENT OF THE F-16 CRASH
Meanwhile, the moment of the F-16 fighter jet's crash has emerged. Drivers on the highway experienced great shock due to the accident, and it was seen that a large explosion occurred at that moment.
INVESTIGATION INITIATED
The body of the martyred pilot was 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 had also arrived at the scene. The Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has also initiated an investigation regarding the accident.
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
In a statement regarding the incident from the Ministry of National Defense, it was stated, "Radio contact and tracking information were lost from 00:56 with our F-16 aircraft taking off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir. As a result of the search and rescue efforts that were immediately initiated, it was determined that our aircraft had crashed, and the wreckage of our aircraft was 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 pray for God's mercy on our martyred pilot and extend our condolences to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation," the statement said.
MINISTER GÜRLEK: INVESTIGATION INITIATED
Justice Minister Gürlek, in a post on his social media account, stated, "Our F-16 aircraft belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight, and one of our heroic pilots 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 arrived at the crash site. I pray for God's mercy on our martyr and extend my condolences to his grieving family and loved ones. I wish patience and resilience to our Turkish Armed Forces. May our noble nation's head be held high," he said.
INTERIOR MINISTRY: WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE ENTIRE PROCESS
In a statement from the Ministry of Interior, it was noted that the process is being closely monitored, stating, "Radio contact was lost with our F-16 aircraft taking off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command at 00:56, and as a result of the search and rescue efforts that were immediately initiated, it was learned that our aircraft had crashed and that the wreckage had been reached. We learned with deep sorrow that our heroic pilot was martyred in this tragic accident. The cause of the accident will be clarified after the technical examination to be conducted by the relevant crash investigation team. As the Ministry of Interior, we are closely monitoring the process in all its aspects and working in full coordination with our relevant institutions. We pray for God's mercy on our heroic pilot; we extend our condolences and patience to his precious family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation. May our nation's head be held high," the statement said.
BALIKESIR GOVERNOR USTAOĞLU EXTENDED CONDOLENCES
Balıkesir Governor Ustaoğlu, in a post on his social media account, stated that our F-16 aircraft belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed around 00:50 during a mission flight, and one of our pilots has been martyred. I pray for God's mercy on our martyr and extend my condolences to his loved ones. May our noble nation's head be held high," he said.
Vice President Yılmaz, in a post on his social media account, stated that the accident would be investigated judicially and administratively, saying, "As a result of the crash of our F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base during a mission flight, I pray for God's mercy on our heroic pilot who was martyred, and I wish patience and condolences to our nation, especially to his family. The tragic accident will be meticulously investigated judicially and administratively," he said.