F-16 fighter jet crashes during training in Michigan; pilot ejects safely
An F-16 fighter jet from the 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training exercise in rural Michigan. The pilot successfully ejected and is receiving medical treatment, with no civilian casualties reported.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding aging military aircraft and the risks associated with routine training operations.
An F-16 fighter jet from Texas crashed in rural Michigan during a routine training exercise on Thursday (September 17, 2026), and the pilot ejected safely, a military spokesman said.
Sgt Derek Gutierrez, a public affairs specialist with the 149th Fighter Wing, said the pilot was receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Mr. Gutierrez declined to release details about the pilot’s identity or any injuries, citing military policy.
The plane was participating in training exercises at a National Guard base in Alpena, about 190 miles (305 kilometres) north of Detroit.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash, while images posted on social media showed a dark plume of smoke in the air.
Wendy Sobeck said she and her husband heard a “very loud crash” down the road, minutes from their rural home.
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