Turkish Air Force Major Killed in F-16 Crash Near Balıkesir

A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff from an air base in northwestern Turkey, killing the pilot, Major İbrahim Bolat.

The aircraft took off around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir, located in the country’s Marmara region. According to the National Defence Ministry, radio contact and radar tracking were lost moments after departure.

Search and rescue teams later located the wreckage near the Istanbul–Izmir motorway. Major Bolat was confirmed dead at the scene.

In a statement, the ministry said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash and expressed condolences to the pilot’s family. Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu described the incident as occurring during a mission flight and paid tribute to the fallen officer.

Debris from the aircraft was scattered across a wide area near the motorway, prompting the deployment of security forces, firefighters and medical teams. The highway was temporarily closed to traffic during emergency operations.

A military ceremony in honour of Major Bolat was held at the 9th Main Jet Base, where two F-16 jets performed a tribute flypast. His wife and daughter were present at the مراسم.

The Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a formal investigation into the crash. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed that senior prosecutors were dispatched to the scene to oversee the probe.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of military aviation safety in Turkey, following previous deadly crashes involving military aircraft in the region.