Hellenic Air Force F-16C Crash

A Hellenic Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 116th Combat Wing suffered an in-flight fire shortly after departing Araxos Air Base, which serves Patras. The pilot diverted to Zakynthos International Airport and carried out an emergency landing as flames were visible beneath the aircraft. The jet was engulfed in fire on the runway; firefighters extinguished the blaze while the pilot escaped without injury. The wreck blocked the runway, delaying and canceling flights at the tourist-island airport. Investigators suspect a landing gear failure but have not confirmed the cause. The aircraft is presumed a write-off pending an official damage assessment.

• Greek Air Force F-16 Crash-Lands in Flames at Zakynthos After In-Flight Fire — 10 Jul 2026