Moments of panic in Greece: F-16 catches fire during flight and makes emergency landing, pilot miraculously escapes

2026-07-09 15:32:13Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Moments of panic in Greece: F-16 catches fire during flight and makes emergency

A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Zakynthos airport after suffering a mechanical failure that also caused a fire.

The plane had taken off from the 116th Fighter Air Base in Araxos and was participating in a training flight when the technical problem occurred. For this reason, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport, that of Zakynthos.

According to preliminary information, the pilot is in good health and has not suffered any injuries.

Immediately after the plane landed, firefighters arrived at the scene and intervened to extinguish the flames. As a preventive measure, they also used special foam to prevent the fire from spreading.

"The Air Force announces that on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 13:45, an F-16 aircraft of the 335th Squadron of the 116th Fighter Air Base, during a training flight, made an emergency landing at Zakynthos airport due to a defect. The pilot of the aircraft is in good health. The causes of the incident are being investigated," the Hellenic Air Force statement said.


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