In brief
A training flight F‑16 crash‑landed at Zakynthos airport at 13:45 local time, closing one of Greece’s busiest summer terminals. The pilot was unharmed, and the aircraft had a technical fault under investigation. An onboard fire caused the jet to ignite on the runway, prompting emergency responders to extinguish the blaze. The runway was shut for the rest of the day, delaying flights until 21:00. The wreckage is from the 335 Squadron and will be cleared by a specialist team to restore operations.
At approximately 13:45 local time on Thursday, a Hellenic Air Force F‑16 performed a training flight that crash‑landed on the runway of Zakynthos airport, one of Greece’s busiest summer terminals.
The aircraft experienced a technical fault, and the pilot, who was reported to be in good health, landed with the landing gear stowed. Investigations into the cause are underway.
Greek media reported an onboard fire indicator before the landing, and the jet burst into flames on the tarmac. Emergency services, including firefighters and airport staff, fought the blaze.
Without gear deployment, the jet slid through dozens of metres across the runway, prompting its closure and leading to all flights scheduled for the rest of the day being delayed until 21:00.
The jet belonged to the 335 Squadron of the 116th Combat Wing at Araxos Air Base. A specialist air‑force unit is expected to clear the wreckage and restore aircraft operations soon.
The incident came as thousands of tourists were expected to arrive by the island week, mainly from the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of the summer holiday season.
Video footage circulated on social media showing the jet ablaze and being doused by firefighters.
