A military jet burst into flames after coming down on a runway at a popular Greek vacation destination, sending fire across the tarmac as emergency crews raced to bring the blaze under control.
The F-16 aircraft belongs to the Hellenic Air Force’s 116th Combat Wing and had taken off from Araxos Air Base, which serves Patras, Greece’s third-largest city, according to the Daily Mail.
The dramatic incident unfolded at Zakynthos International Airport, a busy airport on the tourist island of Zakynthos.
Footage from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames on the runway as firefighters blasted it with water. Local reports said the fire began while the jet was still in the air and was still visible when the pilot brought the plane down.
After landing, the flames spread across the runway, leaving emergency crews scrambling to hose down the burning aircraft and surrounding tarmac.
The pilot was able to get out safely and was not injured.
Investigators are now looking into what caused the fire. A possible landing gear failure is suspected, though officials have not confirmed the exact cause.
The wreck blocked the runway at Zakynthos International Airport, forcing flights at the popular island airport to be delayed or canceled as crews worked to secure the scene.
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