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Greek F-16 Performs Gear‑Up Emergency Landing at Zakynthos Airport

Authorities have opened an investigation into whether landing‑gear failure or a fuel leak caused the belly landing.

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Still from a video published widely on social media. (Image credit: via X/Twitter)
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Overview

  • A Hellenic Air Force F-16 from the 116th Combat Wing diverted to Zakynthos and carried out a gear‑up emergency landing on Thursday after the pilot reported a technical/fire indication during a training sortie.
  • The pilot walked away uninjured and airport firefighters quickly extinguished flames that erupted beneath the aircraft after it touched down on its belly.
  • Zakynthos International Airport issued a NOTAM that temporarily closed its single runway and forced several inbound flights to divert to Athens, Corfu and other airports.
  • The Hellenic Air Force has launched a formal investigation; local reports and video point to a landing‑gear failure and a possible fuel leak but those causes have not been confirmed.
  • The F-16 involved is reported as an F-16C of the 335th Squadron at Araxos and the incident highlights operational and safety challenges when a single‑runway tourist airport must handle a military emergency during peak season.