Michigan, September 18: An F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Texas Air National Guard crashed on Thursday while on a routine training mission in the US state of Michigan. The pilot managed to eject safely using a parachute before the aircraft hit the ground, thereby escaping fatal injury. The incident occurred near Grand Traverse County; emergency management officials ordered the evacuation of nearby residents after a massive fire and explosions were observed at the crash site.
The pilot successfully ejected immediately after the crash of the aircraft, which belonged to the Texas 149th Fighter Wing. Military officials stated that the pilot was promptly admitted to a local hospital and is in stable condition. The training exercise was being conducted from the Alpena National Guard base, located 305 km north of Detroit. A loud noise, likened to the sound of colliding cars, was heard when the jet crashed near Traverse City.
An evacuation order was issued for the surrounding area as a precautionary measure due to continuing smoke and explosions resulting from the crash. The US Air Force has launched a high-level investigation into the precise technical cause of the incident.
History of the F-16 fighter jet: The US military first deployed F-16 ‘Fighting Falcon’ aircraft in 1979. It is one of the world’s most popular and agile fighter jets and is currently in service with the air forces of numerous countries.
According to statistics from the Air Force Safety Center, at least 14 ‘Class A’ accidents involving F-16 aircraft have been recorded since the year 2000. Previously, an F-16C jet belonging to the US Air Force’s prestigious ‘Thunderbirds’ squadron crashed in the California desert; in that instance, too, the pilot managed to eject safely and survive.