An F-16 fighter jet from the Solotürk aerobatic team, which is a part of the Turkish Air Force, appeared to momentarily lose control and came dangerously close to a crowd at a festival in Adana, southern Turkey.
The incident occurred on October 4, 2024, at the end of a demonstration flight at Teknofest, Turkey’s aerospace and technology festival. The festival ran from October 2 to 6, 2024.
During a demonstration flight, the Solotürk pilot was greeting visitors gathered at the event and showcasing the skills of the F-16 aircraft used by the Turkish Air Force.
Video footage shared on X the same day as the incident shows the F-16 jet executing a sideways roll above the runway, getting dangerously close to the ground as it descends. The pilot then manages to level the aircraft at the last second, right above the crowd.
The crowd appeared frightened, with some people screaming as they moved away from the jet. However, based on the angle of the video, it is difficult to see just how close to the ground the fighter jet came.
Turkish officials are yet to release any official information regarding the incident. However, a report from The War Zone suggests that the F-16 could have experienced a problem with its flight control system.
No injuries have been reported. The Turkish state has launched an investigation into the incident.
Teknofest began in 2018 and includes tech contests, air shows, concerts, talks, and other activities. According to the Anadolu Agency, a news agency headquartered in Ankara, the event attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2024.
On Turkey’s 100th anniversary in October 2023, the event took place in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, gathering more than 4.5 million people.
