UPDATE - Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashes in Balikesir, killing pilot

ADDS REMARKS FROM JUSTICE MINISTER

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Balikesir province early Wednesday, killing the pilot, the National Defense Ministry said.

Radio contact and tracking information was lost with the aircraft, which took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balikesir at 12.56 a.m. local time (2156GMT Tuesday), the ministry said in a statement.

Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, and the wreckage was subsequently located, it added.

"Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team," the ministry said, offering its condolences to the pilot’s family.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu​​​​​​​ also offered his condolences.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an official investigation into the crash.

Gurlek said the chief public prosecutor, deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have arrived at the scene of the accident.