A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jet from the 116th Combat Wing, 335 Squadron based at Araxos Air Base, crash-landed at Zakynthos International Airport on July 9, 2026, after developing a technical fault mid-flight [1, 2, 3]. The jet experienced the malfunction shortly after takeoff from Araxos and was forced to make an emergency landing at Zakynthos airport [2].
The aircraft caught fire immediately after landing, with visible flames beneath the fuselage before firefighters extinguished the blaze [1, 2, 3]. According to some reports, the pilot landed the jet without deploying the landing gear, causing the plane to slide dozens of meters along the runway [1]. However, other sources do not confirm this detail [2, 3].
The pilot was unharmed and reported to be in good health following the incident [1, 2, 3].
Zakynthos airport’s single runway was closed after the crash, disrupting operations throughout the day [1, 2, 3]. Flights from airlines including British Airways, TUI, and easyJet were diverted to Athens and Corfu [2]. The runway remained closed until 21:00 local time on July 9, delaying flights and requiring specialists to remove the damaged aircraft [1].
Local civil protection official Maria Mouzaki cited an engine problem as the cause of the incident [3]. However, the Hellenic Air Force has launched an official investigation into the technical fault and fire, with no confirmed cause as of yet [1, 2].
The investigation continues as authorities assess the technical failure that led to the emergency landing. Flight operations at Zakynthos airport have since resumed following runway clearance.
