Balıkesir F-16 Aircraft Crash (2026)

Balıkesir F-16 Aircraft Crash (25 February 2026) is a military aviation accident in which an F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight, resulting in the martyrdom of Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat.

Course of the Accident

On 25 February 2026, an F-16 aircraft that had taken off from the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed shortly after takeoff at approximately 00:50 during its mission flight.

The Ministry of National Defense announced at 00:56 that radio contact and radar tracking with the aircraft had been lost. Search and rescue operations were immediately launched. Subsequent efforts located the aircraft wreckage, confirming the crash had occurred. Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated in his official announcement that the pilot killed in the incident on 25 February 2026 was Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat.

The crash occurred in the Naipli locality of Karesi district, Balıkesir, near the İzmir-Istanbul Motorway. Following the incident, the Naipli section of the motorway was closed to traffic. Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu visited the site to conduct inspections and gather information from officials.

Official Statements

Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, in a statement on his social media account, said: "One of our pilots has become a martyr. May Allah grant mercy to our martyr and comfort to his family. May our beloved nation remain strong."

The Ministry of National Defense stated: "Our F-16 aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command-Balıkesir, lost radio contact and radar tracking at 00:56. As a result of the immediate search and rescue operations, it was confirmed that our aircraft had crashed and its wreckage was located. Our pilot has become a martyr. The cause of the crash will be determined by the investigation of the accident investigation team. May Allah grant mercy to our martyr and offer comfort to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, in a statement on his social media account, said: "Our F-16 aircraft, belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command, crashed during a mission flight, and one of our heroic pilots has become a martyr. The Republic Prosecutor’s Office in Balıkesir has launched an investigation into the incident; our Chief Prosecutor, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, and two Republic Prosecutors have traveled to the crash site. May Allah grant mercy to our martyr and offer comfort to his grieving family. I extend my solidarity and patience to the Turkish Armed Forces. May our beloved nation remain strong."

In a statement from the Ministry of Interior’s social media account, it was announced that the entire process is being closely monitored and coordinated with relevant institutions: "Our F-16 aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command, lost radio contact at 00:56. As a result of the immediate search and rescue operations, it was confirmed that our aircraft had crashed and its wreckage located. We learned with profound sorrow that our heroic pilot has become a martyr. The cause of the crash will become clear following the technical investigation by the relevant accident investigation team.

The Ministry of Interior is closely monitoring the entire process and working in full coordination with relevant institutions. We offer our deepest condolences and patience to the family of our martyred pilot, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation. May our nation remain strong."

Notification of Martyrdom to the Family

The news of the martyrdom of Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat was delivered by military officials to his family at their home in the Evka 2 neighborhood of Çiğli district, İzmir. Following the notification, Turkish flags were hung at the martyr’s residence.

İbrahim Özdemir, the neighborhood head of Evka 2, told journalists that he had known the martyr since childhood: "Even as a child, he would visit the military base and say he went there to drink water. I knew his childhood well, and I am deeply saddened; I do not know what to say. May Allah grant him mercy and make his place paradise. Martyrs do not die."

Military Ceremony

On 25 February 2026, a military ceremony was held at the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command for the martyr, Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat. The coffin, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was brought to the ceremony. After the reading of his service record and a prayer by Balıkesir Mufti Hasan Hayri Yaşar, the coffin was carried on the shoulders of his comrades and placed aboard an aircraft.

During the ceremony, two F-16 aircraft performed a flypast in tribute. Attendees included Commander of the Air Forces General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Commander of the Combat Air Forces General Rafet Dalkıran, Commander of the 9th Main Jet Base Command Air Pilot Brigadier General Gökhan Gürakar, Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın, Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor Abdulkadir Akın, Balıkesir Provincial Police Chief Şükrü Yaman, Balıkesir Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Murat Özer, military officials, protocol members, and the martyr’s family. Commander of the Air Forces General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu conveyed condolences to the martyr’s wife, Ayşe Nilay Bolat, and daughter, Nil Bolat.

Funeral Ceremony

Following the military ceremony in Balıkesir, the remains of Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat were transported to Çiğli district of İzmir. After receiving blessings from family members at his father’s home, the funeral ceremony was held at Hacı Mustafa Beşikçioğlu Mosque after the afternoon prayer.

At the funeral, Provincial Mufti Mevlüt Haliloğlu delivered the prayer and said: "While we share the grief of losing a child of the homeland, we also share the pride of his martyrdom. We believe that without a homeland there is no nation, and without a nation there is no state. A homeland is a place where one sacrifices one’s life and where civilization is built."

After the funeral prayer, the coffin wrapped in the Turkish flag was carried on shoulders to a hearse. Following the ceremony, the martyr’s remains were buried at Kadifekale Air Martyrs’ Cemetery.

The funeral was attended by İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban, Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet, Commander of the Air Forces General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Commander of the Aegean Army and Garrison General İrfan Özsert, İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor Ali Yeldan, military officials, representatives of political parties and civil society organizations, and numerous citizens.

Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat

Ibrahim Bolat was born on 10 November 1985 in İzmir. After completing primary and secondary education, he graduated from Maltepe Military High School in 2003. He completed the Air Force Academy in 2007 with the rank of second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 30 August 2010, to captain in 2016, and to major in 2021.

His assignments included: 2007–2008 at the İzmir 2nd Main Jet Base Command; 2008–2009 at the İzmir Air School and Technical Education Center Command; 2009–2013 at the Merzifon 5th Main Jet Base Command; 2013–2016 at the Akhisar Air Base Command; 2016–2018 at the İzmir 2nd Main Jet Base Command; 2018–2019 at the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command; 2019–2023 at the Konya 3rd Main Jet Base Command; and 2023–2025 at the Diyarbakır 8th Main Jet Base Command.

Bolat served at the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command from 2025 until his death.

Condolence Messages

Condolence Messages from State Officials and Political Party Representatives

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a message to the family of Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, who became a martyr when the F-16 aircraft taking off from the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed, offering condolences.

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş, in a social media post, said: "May Allah grant mercy to our heroic pilot who became a martyr when our F-16 aircraft crashed after taking off from Balıkesir. May He grant comfort to his family, loved ones, and our noble nation. May his place be paradise."

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated: "Our F-16 fighter jet, belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command, crashed during a mission flight, resulting in the martyrdom of our heroic pilot. May Allah grant mercy to our martyr and offer patience and comfort to his family and our nation. The incident will be thoroughly examined legally and administratively."

Leader of the Republican People’s Party Özgür Özel shared: "May Allah grant mercy to our heroic pilot Ibrahim Bolat, who became a martyr when our F-16 aircraft crashed after taking off from Balıkesir. May He grant comfort and patience to his grieving family and our nation. May our nation remain strong."

Leader of the Nationalist Movement Party Devlet Bahçeli said: "The Ministry of National Defense confirms that Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat became a martyr when our F-16 aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command-Balıkesir, crashed. May Allah grant mercy to our martyr pilot, and offer comfort to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu also expressed condolences for the martyr, Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, through statements on their social media accounts.

Director of Communications for the Presidency Burhanettin Duran said: "May Allah grant mercy to our heroic Air Pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat, who became a martyr when our F-16 aircraft belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed. May He grant comfort to his precious family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our nation. May his resting place be paradise and his soul be at peace." AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala and AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also expressed condolences for the martyr pilot in their statements.

International Condolence Messages

Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Zakir Hasanov sent a message of condolence to Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler regarding the martyrdom of Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat in the F-16 crash near Balıkesir. According to the statement from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, Hasanov expressed deep sorrow over the pilot’s death and offered condolences to his family.

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ünal Üstel, in a social media statement, expressed deep sorrow over the news of the martyrdom of Major Bolat and offered condolences to his family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the nation. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu also conveyed condolences for the martyr pilot, his family, fellow servicemen, and the Turkish Armed Forces in his message.