F-16 fighter jet crashes during training in Michigan - Here's what we know so far

An F-16 fighter jet from the Texas Air National Guard crashed during a routine training exercise in rural Michigan on Thursday when it 'experienced an incident', the department said in a statement. The aircraft, assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, went down in Grand Traverse County near Traverse City after taking part in training based at the National Guard facility in Alpena, according to multiple media reports. The pilot successfully ejected before the crash and was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Officials said the pilot was conscious and speaking, while details about injuries and identity have not been released. Authorities also ordered evacuations within one mile of the crash site as an investigation continues.


Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said during a press briefing that the pilot was conscious and speaking with law enforcement after being transported to an area hospital. Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, a public affairs specialist with the 149th Fighter Wing, confirmed that the pilot was receiving medical care but declined to provide the pilot’s identity or details about possible injuries, citing military policy.


The crash occurred shortly before 2 PM ET in Green Lake Township, near Grawn. Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash before seeing a large black plume of smoke rising from the area.


The aircraft was one of several F-16s from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, participating in training at the Air National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, about 190 miles north of Detroit. All Texas Air National Guard aircraft involved in the Michigan training were immediately grounded and were expected to remain grounded for about 24 hours, reported ABC News.

The US military began operating the F-16 in 1979, reported news agency AP. Since 2000, the fighter jet has been involved in at least 14 'Class A mishaps', according to the Air Force Safety Center. The designation generally applies to incidents involving more than $2 million in damage, the destruction of an aircraft, or the death of a service member.