Greek F-16 Catches Fire During Emergency Belly Landing on ZakynthosPhoto: Nu.cw
TourismCuraçao

Greek F-16 Catches Fire During Emergency Belly Landing on Zakynthos

Source: Nu.cw·7/9/2026·Curaçao·1 min read

A Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jet caught fire Thursday while making an emergency belly landing — without its landing gear deployed — at the airport on the Greek island of Zakynthos. The incident forced authorities to immediately suspend all commercial flight operations at the airport, stranding passengers and disrupting travel to and from the popular tourist destination. The pilot executed the gear-up landing after the aircraft experienced a malfunction, a high-risk maneuver that generates significant friction and heat upon touchdown. The resulting fire on the runway prompted emergency response teams to intervene. All commercial takeoffs and landings remained halted following the incident as crews worked to clear the aircraft and assess runway damage. Zakynthos is a major Greek island tourist hub, meaning the disruption has implications for travelers across Europe and beyond.

Key Facts
  • A Greek Air Force F-16 made a belly landing without its landing gear at Zakynthos Airport on Thursday.
  • The aircraft caught fire during the emergency landing, triggering an immediate response from ground crews.
  • All commercial flights at Zakynthos Airport were suspended following the incident.
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