An F-16 fighter jet crashed in rural Michigan, with the pilot safely ejecting before the incident. The crash resulted in plumes of smoke and temporary evacuations due to hazardous chemicals from the wreckage. The pilot, whose identity and injuries remain undisclosed per military policy, was receiving medical care at a local hospital, as confirmed by Sgt. Derek Gutierrez from the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
The pilot, conscious and communicating with law enforcement, was participating in training exercises at a National Guard base in Alpena, located approximately 305 kilometers north of Detroit. Witnesses near the crash site described hearing a loud crash and witnessing billowing black smoke, with explosions occurring intermittently.
Emergency protocols were activated, initially prompting residents to shelter in place. However, due to a hazardous chemical spill linked to the crash, the Michigan State Police evacuated individuals within a 1.6-kilometer radius. The nature of the spill was not disclosed, but F-16 jets utilize hydrazine, a toxic chemical, in their emergency power unit fuel.
Following the incident, residents were allowed to return home as the evacuation order was lifted by Grand Traverse County Emergency Management. The F-16 aircraft involved in the crash was part of a group from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, engaged in training exercises in Michigan.
Since 2000, there have been at least 14 “Class A mishaps” involving F-16s, as reported by the Air Force Safety Center. These mishaps are classified as incidents where damage exceeds $2 million, aircraft destruction, or service member fatalities. Notably, in December, an F-16C Fighting Falcon from the Thunderbirds demonstration squadron crashed in the Southern California desert, with the pilot successfully ejecting.
