On February 25, 2026, a Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed in Balıkesir, Turkey, at around 12:50 AM. The jet was on a mission from the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base when contact was lost just minutes after takeoff. It crashed near the Istanbul-İzmir highway, resulting in debris scattered over a wide area and a significant explosion followed by flames, with Major Ibrahim Bolat losing his life in the incident.

Dashcam footage from vehicles on the highway captured the initial moments of the crash, showing the jet rapidly descending before a loud explosion occurred, leading to a fireball. This footage quickly went viral on local media and social platforms, prompting immediate response efforts from rescue teams who arrived swiftly at the scene to assess the situation and begin recovery efforts.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a well-known single-engine, supersonic multirole fighter jet originally developed by General Dynamics and now produced by Lockheed Martin. Known for its versatility in both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions, this fourth-generation aircraft plays a significant role in the air forces of numerous countries. The crash, occurring at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Iran, raises concerns about military operations and their implications in the region.