An F-16 fighter jet of the Greek Air Force made an emergency landing at Zakynthos airport after suffering a mechanical fault that also caused a fire.
The aircraft 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, the fire brigade arrived at the scene and intervened to put out the flames. As a preventive measure, they also used special foam to avoid the spread of fire.
“The Air Force announces that on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 1:45 p.m., an F-16 aircraft of the 335th Squadron of the 116th Air Force Base, during a training flight, made an emergency landing at Zakynthos Airport due to a malfunction. The pilot of the aircraft is in good health. The causes of the incident are being investigated,” it said. in the announcement of the Greek Air Force.
