US F-16 crashes in Michigan after possible bird hit
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
A US military F-16 fighter jet crashed in a field in northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse County on Thursday afternoon during a routine training exercise, with the pilot ejecting safely and no injuries reported on the ground.
The aircraft, assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing (known as the Lone Star Gunfighters) and based at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, was operating from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center as part of Operation Northern Cactus.
The unit was testing its ability to deploy and operate in an austere environment.
The crash occurred around 2 PM near Blair Township, south of Traverse City, close to the intersection of County Road 633 and Jefferson Place or Blair Townhall Road.
The pilot successfully ejected and was recovered in stable condition.
BREAKING: An F-16 fighter jet crashed in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County, northern Michigan, near County Road 633.
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) September 17, 2026
The pilot ejected successfully and is reported to be conscious and alert.
Plane - Crash - Michigan
TCD News pic.twitter.com/rc3Ig0rVkn
Michigan State Police reported the pilot was being treated at a local hospital, and Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael D.
Shea said the pilot was conscious and speaking with law enforcement.
Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine confirmed the pilot was found “conscious and alert” after parachuting to the ground.
“The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and is receiving care at a nearby hospital,” the Texas Military Department said in a statement.
“Emergency responders are on-site. The incident is under investigation.”
Video and photos from the scene showed thick black smoke and a fireball rising from the wreckage in a grassy field near residential properties.
Air traffic control audio recorded by LiveATC captured the wingman, flying under the callsign BUCK 11, reporting a possible bird strike.
“We have a possible mayday by wingman. I believe may have taken a bird,” the pilot told controllers. Later the wingman added, “Alert emergency services!… He’s gonna have to get out, and it’s gonna be in the town that I’m overhead now.”
Officials have not confirmed a bird strike as the cause and said the mishap remains under investigation.
Authorities initially issued a shelter-in-place order and later evacuated residents within a one-mile radius of the crash site due to a hazardous chemical spill linked to the aircraft.
Grand Traverse County Emergency Management directed people to evacuate away from the intersection of County Road 633 and Jefferson Place, with temporary shelter available at Kensington Church.
“Evacuate within 1 mile of the site… Follow instructions from emergency personnel,” the agency posted.
The 149th Fighter Wing had posted earlier about its participation in the exercise, stating that the flights were “pivotal in testing our members, from the ground to the air, through organized training and teamwork.”
Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, a public affairs specialist with the wing, confirmed the pilot was receiving treatment but declined to release further details on identity or injuries, citing military policy.
