Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashes in Balikesir, killing pilot

Radio contact and tracking information lost with jet, which took off from 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balikesir, says National Defense Ministry

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Balikesir province early Wednesday, killing the pilot, the National Defense Ministry said.

Radio contact and tracking information was lost with the aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balikesir at 12.56 a.m. local time (2156GMT Tuesday), the ministry said in a statement.

Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, and the wreckage was subsequently located, it added.

"Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team," the ministry said, offering condolences to the pilot’s family.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu also offered his condolences to the pilot's family.

Kaynak:

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