A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Balikesir, killing the pilot, according to local media reports citing the Ministry of Defense. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when the aircraft lost radio and tracking contact soon after departing at 12:56 a.m. local time. Rescue teams later located the wreckage, and authorities confirmed the pilot’s death.

The Defense Ministry stated that an investigation team will determine the exact cause of the crash and expressed condolences to the pilot’s family. The incident adds to a series of recent F-16 accidents worldwide. In January, an F-16 crashed into the sea during a routine mission in Taiwan, and in August, another crashed during an air show rehearsal in Poland, both resulting in pilot fatalities.

Last November, Turkey had suspended flights of its C-130 cargo planes following a crash in Georgia that killed all 20 passengers returning from Azerbaijan.