Turkish, Feb 25, 2026 (V7N) - A Turkish fighter jet crashed moments after takeoff from Balikesir early Wednesday, killing its pilot, the defence ministry confirmed.

The aircraft departed at 12:56 am local time (2156 GMT Tuesday) but lost radio and tracking contact almost immediately. Search and rescue teams were dispatched, and the wreckage was located within hours. “Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team,” the ministry said, offering condolences to the pilot’s family.

The tragedy adds to a troubling series of aviation incidents for Turkey. In November, flights by C-130 cargo planes were suspended after one crashed in neighboring Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan, killing all 20 people aboard. Other F-16 jets, manufactured by US defense giant Lockheed Martin, have also been involved in fatal accidents worldwide in recent months.

In January, a Taiwanese F-16 plunged into the sea during a routine mission, with its pilot reported missing after ejecting offshore. In Poland, an F-16 crashed in August while rehearsing for an air show, killing its pilot. These incidents have raised questions about the safety and maintenance of aging fleets, as well as the operational pressures faced by air forces relying heavily on the versatile but decades-old fighter.

Turkey’s air force has long depended on F-16s as the backbone of its aerial defense. Analysts note that while the aircraft remains a critical component of NATO’s arsenal, the recent spate of crashes underscores the importance of modernization and rigorous safety checks.

The Balikesir crash is expected to trigger a full technical review, with investigators examining whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors contributed. For now, the ministry has urged restraint in speculation, promising transparency once the crash examination team completes its findings.

END/WD/RH/