1 pilot martyred: Clearest footage of the crashed F-16 fighter jet emerges

An F-16 fighter jet that took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir for a mission flight suffered a crash shortly after takeoff at around 00:50. The aircraft crashed on the side of the road in the Karesi district of Balıkesir on the Istanbul-Izmir Highway. It was reported that the wreckage was scattered across the area.

Upon notification, security forces, firefighters, and medical teams were dispatched to the region. While extensive security measures were taken at the scene, the teams' efforts continued throughout the night.

PILOT ANNOUNCED MARTYRED

The Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement on its social media account that Air Force Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat was martyred in the accident.

The statement included the following: “Our heroic comrade-in-arms, Air Force Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, was martyred on February 25, 2026, as a result of our F-16 aircraft suffering a crash. May God have mercy on our heroic martyr; I wish condolences and patience to his grieving family and our noble nation.”

STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AT THE SCENE

İsmail Ustaoğlu stated at the crash site, “Condolences to our nation. According to the information we received, our F-16 aircraft suffered a crash shortly after taking off from our 9th Main Jet Command. Unfortunately, we have 1 martyr; we have reached his body. The crash site is on the side of the road in the Karesi district of Balıkesir on the Istanbul-Izmir Highway.”

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

Akın Gürlek announced that an investigation into the incident has been launched by the Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. It was reported that the Chief Public Prosecutor, the deputy chief public prosecutor, and two public prosecutors arrived at the scene of the accident.

Following the accident, the Istanbul-Izmir Highway was closed to traffic. It was learned that the road is expected to be reopened to traffic after the wreckage removal work is completed.

MOMENT OF F-16 CRASH ON CAMERA

The clearest footage of the F-16 fighter jet that crashed in the Karesi district of Balıkesir on the Istanbul-Izmir Highway has emerged. The footage, recorded during the night, shows the aircraft flying at a low altitude and then turning into a fireball and crashing on the side of the road shortly after.

Here are those moments: