A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jet crash-landed at Zakynthos airport on Thursday after developing a technical fault, according to the BBC. The aircraft was on a training flight when it landed at about 13:45 local time (10:45 GMT) without deploying its landing gear, causing it to slide dozens of metres along the runway. Greek media reported that the aircraft had received an indication of an onboard fire before landing and caught fire on the runway, prompting an emergency response from firefighters and airport personnel.

Incident Details and Pilot Condition

The Hellenic Air Force stated that the pilot was “in good health” and that the cause of the incident was being investigated; the air force said the aircraft was from the 335 Squadron of the 116th Combat Wing based at Araxos Air Base in western Greece. Video footage of the jet ablaze while being doused by firefighters emerged on social media; the Hellenic Air Force has not commented on this report.

Impact on Airport Operations

The crash-landing led to the closure of the airport’s runway, causing delays for all of Thursday’s remaining flights, which were scheduled to be delayed until 21:00, according to the airport’s arrivals and departure boards. The airport is one of Greece’s busiest summer holiday terminals. The incident comes at the beginning of the summer holiday season, when thousands of tourists are estimated to travel to the island a week, primarily from the UK. A specialist air force team was expected to travel to the Ionian island to remove the aircraft from the runway and allow airport operations to resume.

Broader Implications

At the start of the high tourist season, has added to public concern, with local authorities and air traffic officials monitoring the situation closely to minimize disruptions to air travel. The incident adds to growing concerns about safety and maintenance of the Greek air force’s fleet; While the pilot emerged unscathed, the technical failure during a routine training flight raises questions about the reliability of the F-16s in service. The Hellenic Air Force has not yet provided a detailed explanation of the cause of the technical fault. The timing of the incident.