Footage has emerged exhibiting a Greek F-16 on hearth after an emergency gear-up touchdown on the island of Zakynthos, generally often called Zante. Officers have confirmed that the pilot is ‘in good well being’.
Lieutenant Colonel Konstantinos Gravalos of the Hellenic Air Pressure instructed the media that the F-16C Preventing Falcon, one among over 100 operated by the Greek air arm, suffered an unspecified technical malfunction whereas on a coaching sortie on Jul. 9, 2026. The pilot elected to make an emergency touchdown at Zakynthos Airport, which is understood to many as the favored vacationer vacation spot Zante.
Footage exhibits the F-16 on the airport tarmac on its stomach, with flames erupting across the plane. Hearth crews doused the flames with water and foam. It’s clear that the pilot left the plane as regular, with out ejecting, as the cover and seat are nonetheless current on the jet.
Αναγκαστική προσγείωση F-16 στο αεροδρόμιο της Ζακύνθου pic.twitter.com/pbceDCzXuD
— Kathimerini_Web (@KathimeriniWeb) July 9, 2026
Different footage, taken because the plane approached the runway, confirms that the undercarriage was not deployed earlier than touchdown.
Hellenic Air Pressure F-16 carried out a gear-up touchdown at Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) airport on the Greek island of Zakynthos on account of a touchdown gear malfunction right this moment.
The F-16 caught hearth on the bottom and the pilot safely egressed with out ejecting. pic.twitter.com/blKgZGseP2
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) July 9, 2026
Some preliminary reviews claimed the jet belonged to the U.S. Air Pressure, however even earlier than the Hellenic Air Pressure’s affirmation the Greek nationwide markings and darkish gray paint scheme clearly recognized the operator.
Flights scheduled to reach on the airport have been diverted to a lot of close by places, together with Athens, Corfu, and Thessaloniki.
The Discover to Airmen/Aviation (NOTAM) closing Zakynthos’ runway to all however authorised medical, authorities, and navy helicopters was issued at 12:10 UTC.
Native media reviews say the F-16 belongs to the 116th Fight Wing at Araxos Air Base in Jap Greece. The wing is comprised of the 336th Bomber Squadron and 335th Squadron, each flying F-16s. They have been notably the final unit on the earth to function the A-7 Corsair II, which retired in 2014.
This text considerations a growing information story and could also be up to date as new data turns into accessible.
