Greek Air Force F-16 Bursts Into Flames During Emergency Landing at Zakynthos Airport, Pilot Safe
ZAKYNTHOS, Greece — A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jet caught fire during an emergency landing at the international airport on the western Greek island of Zakynthos after suffering a technical malfunction.The aircraft had taken off from Araxos Air Base on a training flight when it developed a sudden technical fault mid-air. The pilot immediately…
ZAKYNTHOS, Greece — A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jet caught fire during an emergency landing at the international airport on the western Greek island of Zakynthos after suffering a technical malfunction.
The aircraft had taken off from Araxos Air Base on a training flight when it developed a sudden technical fault mid-air. The pilot immediately requested permission for an emergency landing at the nearby Zakynthos airport. As the jet’s wheels touched down on the runway, flames and thick black smoke erupted from the underside of the aircraft.
Firefighters and emergency response teams, who were already on standby at the airport, acted swiftly, covering the aircraft in fire-suppressant foam and bringing the blaze under control within minutes. Authorities said the pilot was safely evacuated thanks to the prompt response, averting a major disaster.
The airport has been temporarily closed for security reasons while an investigation into the incident gets underway.
