F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes During Michigan Training Exercise, Pilot Injured
The aircraft went down in a field near Alpena, prompting evacuations due to a potential hazardous chemical spill.
An F-16 fighter jet crashed in a field in Michigan on Thursday during training exercises, resulting in the pilot's injury and the temporary evacuation of nearby residents. The incident occurred at a National Guard base in Alpena, approximately 190 miles from Detroit.
The pilot was conscious and communicating with authorities while receiving medical attention at a local hospital, according to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea and Sergeant Derek Gutierrez of the 149th Fighter Wing. The pilot's identity has not been released due to military policy. The jet was one of several F-16s from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, participating in the exercises.
Audio footage from LiveATC captured another pilot reporting a possible bird strike and subsequent crash of his wingman. The controller offered assistance, but the pilot confirmed his wingman had already crashed. It was later confirmed the pilot ejected safely before the jet impacted the ground.
While the cause of the crash is under investigation, Gutierrez stated he was not aware of a bird strike. Witnesses described hearing a loud bang shortly after observing the jet flying unusually low and slow. One witness, Nathan Smith, a construction worker, captured video of the jet before hearing the noise, which he now believes was the pilot ejecting.
The crash led to an evacuation order for all businesses and residences within a one-mile radius of County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road due to a reported hazardous chemical spill. While the exact nature of the spill remains unconfirmed, F-16s utilize hydrazine, a toxic chemical, in their emergency power units.
Residents reported hearing a "very loud crash" and seeing "big billowing black smoke." Fred Sobeck observed a "big fireball in the field" and stated that police advised him to leave the area due to ongoing explosions, which were later identified by a witness as ammunition from the crashed jet.
The evacuation order was lifted by police shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday.