A Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Grawn, Michigan, on Thursday afternoon during a routine training mission, according to the Texas Military Department. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and is receiving medical care.
The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. ET in Green Lake Township, prompting Michigan State Police to order the evacuation of homes and businesses within a one-mile radius due to a "hazardous chemical spill related to the plane crash." A large plume of black smoke was visible at the crash site.
The pilot was transported to a local hospital and was conscious and speaking with authorities, Grand Traverse Sheriff Michael Shea confirmed. No other injuries have been reported.
All Texas Air National Guard aircraft that were in Michigan for the training mission have been grounded and are expected to remain so for at least 24 hours, a U.S. official stated. The F-16 was operating out of the Air National Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan, at the time of the incident.