The plane crashed near a highway in the Turkish city.

00:24, Wed, Feb 25, 2026 Updated: 00:24, Wed, Feb 25, 2026

Footage from the scene

Footage from the scene (Image: X)

An F-16 jet has been involved in a horror plane crash in Balıkesir, Turkey, according to reports.

Ambulances and police vehicles are at the scene of the reported crash near Bursa-Izmir highway.

Footage shows people rushing to the scene of the incident with debris scattered on the floor.

The city's Governer, İsmail Ustaoğlu, said: "One of our F-16 aircraft belonging to the squadron of the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight around 00:50, and one of our pilots has been martyred. I pray to Allah for mercy upon our martyr and offer my condolences to his family. May our esteemed nation’s head be consoled."

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47 seconds ago00:24 Peter Hennessy

More on highway where plane crash occurred

The Istanbul-Izmir Motorway has a total length of 426 kilometers, including 384 kilometers of motorway and 42 kilometers of connecting roads.

 The entire motorway was opened to traffic on August 4, 2019, after its completed sections were gradually put into service. 

46 mins ago23:39 Charlie Bradley

Turkish Air Force pilot killed, according to reports

Journalist Ibrahim Haskoloğlu reports: "An F-16 aircraft belonging to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed during a mission flight at around 00:50. 1 pilot was martyred."

\ud83d\udd34#SONDAK\u0130KA | Bal\u0131kesir 9. Ana Jet \u00dcss\u00fc Komutanl\u0131\u011f\u0131 filosuna ait F-16 u\u00e7a\u011f\u0131 g\u00f6rev u\u00e7u\u015fu esnas\u0131nda 00:50 s\u0131ralar\u0131nda kaza k\u0131r\u0131ma u\u011frad\u0131.

1 pilot \u015fehit oldu.

\u2014 Bal\u0131kesir Valili\u011fi

\u2014 ibrahim Haskolo\u011flu (@haskologlu) February 24, 2026

48 mins ago23:37 Charlie Bradley

More footage from the scene

More footage on X shows the scene of the crash.

Bal\u0131kesir\u2019de u\u00e7ak kazas\u0131

Bursa-\u0130zmir otoyolu Bal\u0131kesir mevkisinde bir askeri u\u00e7a\u011f\u0131n d\u00fc\u015ft\u00fc\u011f\u00fc iddia ediliyor.
Olay yerine \u00e7ok say\u0131da g\u00fcvenlik g\u00fcc\u00fc ve ambulans sevkedildi. pic.twitter.com/KG62Big6rN

\u2014 Son Dakika (@sondakikatv) February 24, 2026

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50 mins ago23:35 Charlie Bradley

Footage shows the scene of the crash

Footage shared on X shows people gathering at the scene of the crash.

SONDAK\u0130KA / Bal\u0131kesir Valisi \u0130smail Ustao\u011flu:

"Bal\u0131kesir 9. Ana Jet \u00dcss\u00fc Komutanl\u0131\u011f\u0131 filosuna ait F-16 u\u00e7a\u011f\u0131m\u0131z g\u00f6rev u\u00e7u\u015fu esnas\u0131nda kaza k\u0131r\u0131ma u\u011fram\u0131\u015ft\u0131r.

1 pilotumuz \u015fehit olmu\u015ftur." \ud83d\ude14\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf7 pic.twitter.com/geoi3uOL9d

\u2014 TENGR\u0130 EL\u00c7\u0130S\u0130 (@tengrielcisi) February 24, 2026

51 mins ago23:34 Charlie Bradley

Statement from city governor

The city's Governor, İsmail Ustaoğlu, said: "One of our F-16 aircraft belonging to the squadron of the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight around 00:50, and one of our pilots has been martyred. I pray to Allah for mercy upon our martyr and offer my condolences to his family. May our esteemed nation’s head be consoled."