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A Turkish Air Force F-16 crashes near a major highway, killing its pilot

The pilot, Air Force Major İbrahim Bolat, died after the F-16 crashed shortly after takeoff; investigation and search-and-rescue operations were launched immediately, officials said.

  • Early Wednesday, a Turkish Air Force F-16 crashed near the Istanbul‑Izmir highway in western Turkey, killing the pilot, officials said.
  • After taking off from the 9th Main Jet Base in Balikesir around 00:50, the jet lost radio and radar contact at 00:56 local time.
  • Search-and-Rescue teams and emergency services were immediately deployed and located the wreckage soon after, with debris scattered along the Istanbul‑Izmir highway in the Karesi district where security forces, firefighters and medical teams responded.
  • A special accident investigation commission has been formed to determine the crash cause, and the Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened a probe, officials said.
  • Officials described the crash as a setback for the Turkish Air Force, and the President, the defence minister and other officials offered condolences to the deceased pilot's family.
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A pilot has died after a NATO F-16 fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff in western Turkey. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the military plane lost radar and radio contact shortly after taking off from a base in the Balıkesir province at around 00:56 on Wednesday morning, theindependent reports. Search and rescue operations were soon launched and the wreckage of the plane was found, with the pilot confirmed dead. The ministry said…

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The Washington Post broke the news in on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
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