February 25, 2026 | 04:38 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed during a flight mission in the western Balikesir province, Turkey, on Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026. The pilot, Major Ibrahim Bolat, died at the scene.
As reported by TRT World, the aircraft, assigned to the 9th Main Jet Base Command, took off from Balikesir before losing contact shortly after midnight. According to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, radio communications and radar tracking were lost at 12:56 a.m. local time.
Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the area. Authorities later confirmed that the jet crashed near the village of Naifli in the Karesi district, close to the Izmir-Istanbul highway.
Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu confirmed that the pilot was killed in the crash. "May God have mercy on our martyr and grant patience to his family. Our nation’s condolences," he said in a statement.
The crash site, located in a rural area, caused the temporary closure of the highway in both directions as emergency teams, including firefighters and ambulances, were deployed.
In a follow-up statement, the Ministry of National Defense identified the deceased pilot as Major Ibrahim Bolat. The ministry extended its sympathies to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the public, characterizing him as a heroic comrade.
“The cause of the crash will be determined following the examination by the accident investigation board,” the ministry said.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek also announced that a judicial investigation has commenced. The Balikesir Prosecutor General’s Office has dispatched a chief prosecutor, a deputy chief prosecutor, and two prosecutors to the scene to oversee the investigation.
According to official sources, the F-16 was conducting a routine mission when the crash occurred. No details concerning potential technical malfunctions or outside factors have been disclosed while the investigation is pending.
The F-16 fleet serves as a primary pillar of Turkey’s aerial defense, regularly performing training and operational sorties from bases nationwide. Authorities have committed to a comprehensive technical and judicial probe to clarify the specific circumstances of the crash.
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