F‑16 crash‑lands at Zakynthos airport
A Greek F‑16 fighter jet that was on a training flight crash‑landed on the runway of Zakynthos airport around 1:45 pm (10:45 GMT) on Thursday. The pilot emerged unharmed while the plane slid dozens of metres, caught fire, and forced the airport to shut the main runway.
The incident happened just as thousands of holidaymakers were heading to the island. Flights were cancelled until around 9 pm, leading to major delays for dozens of passengers.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and air‑traffic control, worked quickly to extinguish the jet’s flame. A specialist removal team was dispatched from the mainland to clear the wreckage and reopen the runway.
The Hellenic Air Force’s 335 Squadron confirmed the jet belonged to its 116th Combat Wing at Araxos Air Base. The cause of the incident is under investigation, but an onboard fire was reported prior to landing.
What you should know:
- A pilot was in good health and no injuries were reported.
- Runway closure caused flights to be delayed until about 9 pm.
- Specialised teams are removing the aircraft to restore operations.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine the root cause.
- This crash underscores the importance of air‑traffic safety, especially during peak tourist season.
See the live shot of the emergency response as the jet was brought down; video footage is shared on social media and the BBC recap.
