An F-16C Fighting Falcon of the Greek Air Force crash-landed at Zakynthos airport on the island of Zante on July 9, 2026, after a technical glitch caused a fire on board. The aircraft burst into flames on the tarmac, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Incident Details
The fighter jet had taken off from Araxos on the Greek mainland before the fire broke out, according to CNN Greece. The jet is operated by the 116th Combat Wing of the Greek Air Force, a long-standing NATO member. The pilot was safely pulled from the wreckage and is reported to be in good health.
Airport Operations Disrupted
Zakynthos airport, which has only one runway, has been affected by the crash. Flights were diverted to other airports, including Athens and Corfu. According to Flightradar24, the following flights were diverted: British Airways flight BA662 from London Heathrow to Athens, TUI flight BY492 from Birmingham to Corfu International Airport, easyJet flight U23693 from Milan to Corfu, and Wizz Air flight W62455 from Budapest to Athens.
Location and Impact
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is a popular holiday island off the western coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea, opposite Athens. The journey between the capital and Zante can take up to six hours by car. The crash has caused significant disruption to travel plans for tourists and locals alike.
