Separate F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes Reported in Turkey and South Korea
Archive: F-16C 93-0682 Turkish Air Force | Rob VogelaarAviation News – Two separate F-16 fighter jet accidents occurred during missions in Turkey and South Korea, resulting in the tragic death of one pilot while another managed a successful emergency ejection. These incidents involve two key global security partners operating the American-designed multirole fighter in high-readiness training environments.
In Turkey, a Turkish Air Force jet crashed near a highway in the western part of the country after losing radio and radar contact shortly after takeoff from the 9th Main Jet Base in Balikesir province. Local officials confirmed the pilot did not survive the impact. Meanwhile, a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-16C assigned to the Chungju base went down in a mountainous region near Yeongju. In the South Korean incident, the pilot successfully used the ejection seat and was recovered safely, with no reported damage to civilian property on the ground.
A Kazakhstan Air Force Sukhoi SU-30SM fighter jet crashed on February 25, 2026, during a training flight in the Karaganda Region near the city of Balkhash, according to statements from Kazakhstan media citing the country’s Ministry of Defense.
The crew ejected in time and survived, according to reports.
