A Hellenic Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon made an emergency landing at Zakynthos International Airport on Thursday after reportedly experiencing a technical issue during flight. Shortly after touching down, the fighter jet caught fire, prompting an immediate response from airport emergency crews, who quickly brought the blaze under control.
The pilot safely evacuated the aircraft and was reported to be in good health, with no injuries sustained. Initial reports suggest the incident may have been caused by a landing gear malfunction, although the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
The aircraft belongs to the 116th Combat Wing and had departed from Araxos Air Base before the emergency. Authorities are now assessing the damage to the aircraft and have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the incident.