An F-16 from the Texas Air National Guard crashed and was destroyed by fire during a training exercise in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, after the pilot ejected safely and was treated at a local hospital in stable condition. LiveATC audio captured a mayday call and controllers reported heavy black smoke; witnesses said they saw the pilot parachute down and heard explosions. Authorities ordered a one-mile evacuation as a precaution and grounded other Guard pilots while the incident is investigated.
F-16 Destroyed in Fiery Michigan Crash After ‘Mishap’; Pilot Ejects Safely
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An F-16 assigned to the Texas Air National Guard was destroyed in a fiery crash during a training mission in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, after the pilot successfully ejected and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
Incident Overview
The single-seat fighter jet went down in a field while the airman was participating in exercises staged from a National Guard facility in Alpena, Michigan. The pilot is a member of the 149th Fighter Wing, based at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
What Happened
Audio posted by LiveATC.net captured another pilot alerting air traffic control: "We have a possible mayday by wingman. I believe [they] may have taken a bird." An air traffic controller on the recording said they observed "a lot of black smoke, which we believe is the ejected F-16," and suggested the aircraft "may have lost an engine and ejected." Transmissions confirmed the jet carried a single pilot.
Response And Condition Of The Pilot
Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, public affairs specialist for the 149th Fighter Wing, confirmed the airman had ejected and told The Associated Press the pilot was treated at a local hospital and was in stable condition. Local outlets and eyewitnesses reported the pilot was conscious and alert after parachuting to the ground.
Aftermath And Safety Precautions
Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions after the jet impacted and caught fire. County emergency management ordered residents within a one-mile radius of the crash site to evacuate as a precaution; officials did not specify a hazardous substance or other exact reason for the evacuations.
Michigan State Police confirmed there were no other injuries. Other Texas Air National Guard pilots who were in Michigan for the training exercises were grounded immediately; a military official told ABC News the stand-down would likely continue for at least 24 hours.
Official Statement And Investigation
The Texas Air National Guard described the event as a "mishap" and said the pilot "successfully ejected from the aircraft" and was "safe." The incident is under investigation and officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available. Photos and video of the crash and aftermath circulated widely on social media following the event.
Sources: CNN, Fox News Digital, LiveATC.net, The Associated Press, ABC News, Mediaite
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