Footage has emerged of a Greek F-16 catching fire after landing with emergency gear on the island of Zakynthos, commonly known as Zante. Officials confirmed the pilot’s health was ‘good’.
Lt. Col. Konstantinos Gravalos of the Hellenic Air Force told media that the F-16C Fighting Falcon, one of about 100 operated by the Greek Air Force, suffered an unspecified technical malfunction during a training sortie on July 9, 2026. The pilot decided to make an emergency landing at Zakynthos Airport, known to many as Zante, a popular tourist destination.
The video shows an F-16 on its belly on an airport runway, with flames erupting around the aircraft. Firefighters extinguished the flames with water and foam. Because the canopy and seats are still on the jet, it is clear that the pilot did not eject and left the aircraft normally.
F-16 forced landing at Zakynthos Airport pic.twitter.com/pbceDCzXuD
— Kathimerini_Web (@KathimeriniWeb) July 9, 2026
Other footage taken as the aircraft approached the runway confirms that the undercarriage did not deploy before landing.
A Greek Air Force F-16 today conducted a gear-up landing at Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) Airport on the Greek island of Zakynthos due to a landing gear malfunction.
The F-16 caught fire on the ground and the pilot ejected safely without ejecting. pic.twitter.com/blKgZGseP2
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) July 9, 2026
Some initial reports claimed the jet was owned by the US Air Force, but even before confirmation by the Greek Air Force, the Greek national markings and dark gray paint scheme clearly identified the pilot.
Flights scheduled to arrive at the airport were diverted to several nearby destinations, including Athens, Corfu and Thessaloniki.
A Notice to the Air Force/Aviation (NOTAM) was issued at 12:10 UTC closing the Zakynthos runway to all aircraft except approved medical, government and military helicopters.
According to local media reports, the F-16 belongs to the 116th Fighter Wing at Araxos Air Base in eastern Greece. The wing consists of the 336th Bomb Squadron and the 335th Bomb Squadron, both of which fly the F-16. Notably, they were the last unit in the world to operate the A-7 Corsair II, which was retired in 2014.
This article relates to a developing news story and may be updated as new information becomes available.
