Turkish F-16 crashes in Balikesir, pilot killed

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Balikesir Province early Wednesday, killing the pilot, authorities confirmed.

The aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command at 12:56 a.m. local time (9:56 p.m. GMT Tuesday), lost radio contact and radar tracking, prompting immediate search and rescue operations. The wreckage was later located.

The pilot, identified as Air Force Major Ibrahim Bolat, was confirmed dead. The National Defense Ministry expressed condolences and stated the cause of the crash will be determined by a technical investigation team.

An official investigation has been launched by the Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Senior officials, including Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Interior Minister and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, emphasized that both judicial and technical examinations will be conducted.

The Interior Ministry confirmed coordination with all relevant agencies, while condolences poured in from senior government officials and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The cause of the crash remains under investigation.