ISTANBUL: A Turkish fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff early Wednesday, killing the pilot, state media reported, citing the defence ministry.
According to the Anadolu Agency, radio and tracking contact with the aircraft was lost soon after it departed from Balikesir at 12:56am (2156 GMT Tuesday).
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, and the wreckage of the aircraft was later located.
“Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team,” the ministry said, extending condolences to the pilot’s family.
In November, Turkey suspended flights of its C-130 cargo planes after one crashed in neighbouring Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan, killing all 20 people on board.
Other F-16 fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, have also been involved in accidents in recent months.
In January, a Taiwanese F-16 crashed into the sea during a routine mission. The pilot, who ejected offshore, was reported missing.
In Poland, an F-16 crashed in August while rehearsing for an air show, killing its pilot.
