Moment F-16 fighter jet explodes after crashing during training

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:57, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 15:58, 12 August 2026 A military F-16 aircraft crashed on Wednesday during a training flight in the northwestern Turkish province of Yalova, Turkey's defense ministry said.  It added that the pilot had ejected and survived the crash. Videos on local media showed a large fireball, followed by a plume of black smoke, coming from a field. Another plane can be seen flying nearby, along with a second, lighter plume of smoke.  Local media reported the crash happened during training at Yalova Airfield Command, south-east of Istanbul.  Türkiye Today reported the aircraft crashed near the 18th Main Jet Base in Taskopru town of Yalova’s Ciftlikkoy district. Medical and fire teams were dispatched to the area following the incident.  The pilot was taken to the nearby Yalova Training and Research Hospital to be treated.  The plane belonged to Gazelle Squadron of the Eskisehir 1st Main Jet Base, which specialises in reconnaissance missions.  Videos on local media showed a large fireball, followed by a plume of black smoke, coming from a field Local media reported the crash happened during training at Yalova Airfield Command, southeast of Istanbul Turkey's military said it will investigate the cause of the crash.   Just last month, a military aircraft caught fire in mid-air before making an emergency landing at a Greek holiday island airport. The plane touched down at Zakynthos International Airport with flames still visible before the fire spread on the runway, according to local reports. Footage shows the aircraft on the tarmac engulfed in flames as emergency crews douse it with jets of water. The pilot landed safely and was unhurt, according to reports. The cause of the emergency landing and subsequent fire has not yet been confirmed.  Authorities are assessing the damage to the aircraft, which may have experienced a problem with the landing gear. The jet belongs to the 116th Combat Wing and had taken off from the Araxos Airbase, in northwestern Peloponnese.