ANKARA / SEOUL / ASTANA — February 25, 2026 : Three military fighter aircraft from Turkey, South Korea and Kazakhstan were lost in separate training-related incidents within a 24-hour period on February 25, 2026. The accidents involved two F-16C Fighting Falcons operated by the Turkish Air Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force, and one Su-30SM multirole fighter operated by Kazakhstan’s Air Defense Forces. Authorities in all three countries have initiated formal investigations. One pilot was killed, while three others survived after ejecting.
Turkish Air Force F-16C Crash in Balıkesir
The first incident occurred at 00:56 local time in northwestern Turkey. An F-16C assigned to the 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed shortly after takeoff from Balıkesir Air Base during a nighttime mission.
According to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, radio and radar contact with the aircraft was lost approximately six minutes after departure. The crash occurred near Naipli village in the Karesi district of Balıkesir province, close to the Istanbul–İzmir motorway.
Search and rescue teams were deployed immediately and located scattered wreckage across a wide area. Security forces and firefighters secured the crash site, and a section of the motorway was temporarily closed as a precaution due to debris.
The pilot, Air Force Major İbrahim Bolat, was killed in the crash. The Ministry confirmed his death in an official statement. The Balıkesir Public Prosecutor’s Office, along with a specialized crash examination team, has begun a formal investigation. Authorities are examining possible factors including mechanical malfunction, pilot-related issues, and environmental conditions. A procedural ruling will be issued following completion of the investigation.
Republic of Korea Air Force F-16C Crash in Yeongju
Later the same day, at approximately 19:31 local time, a Republic of Korea Air Force F-16C single-seat fighter jet crashed during a scheduled nighttime training flight.
The aircraft was assigned to Chungju Air Base and went down in a mountainous area near Yongsan-ri in Anjeong-myeon, close to the city of Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province.
The pilot successfully initiated the ejection sequence prior to impact. According to South Korean authorities, the pilot was initially suspended in a tree before being rescued by emergency responders. He sustained no life-threatening injuries and was transferred to the Korean Air Force Aerospace Medical Center for evaluation.
The crash triggered a localized hillside fire, which was extinguished shortly after fire crews arrived at the scene. No civilian casualties or property damage were reported. Local authorities temporarily evacuated some nearby residents as a precaution.
The Republic of Korea Air Force has established a special task force led by the Vice Chief of Staff to investigate the cause of the accident. A detailed technical and operational review is underway.
Kazakhstan Air Defense Forces Su-30SM Crash in Karaganda Region
In a separate and unrelated incident, a Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jet belonging to the Kazakhstan Air Defense Forces crashed during a scheduled training flight in the Karaganda Region of central Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh Defense Ministry stated that an emergency occurred while the twin-engine multirole aircraft was conducting routine operations. Both pilots onboard successfully ejected before impact.
Search and rescue units recovered the crew members and placed them under medical supervision. Officials confirmed that neither pilot sustained life-threatening injuries.
The crash site was secured by military personnel. Authorities reported no threat to the civilian population or nearby infrastructure.
A special commission headed by the chief of the flight safety department has been formed to determine the circumstances of the aircraft’s loss. The commission includes specialized flight service personnel and will issue a formal legal and procedural assessment once the investigation is completed.
Investigations Underway
The three incidents occurred in different geographic regions under separate operational commands and flight conditions. There is no indication that the crashes are connected.
All three air forces have launched independent investigations focused on technical performance, operational procedures and environmental factors. Findings will be released upon completion of the respective inquiries.
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