F-16 Crashes in Michigan During Training; Pilot Ejects Safely

An F-16 fighter jet crashed in rural Michigan during training, with the pilot ejecting safely. Details on the incident and witness accounts.

Editorial Desk

September 18, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Traverse City, Michigan — An F-16 fighter jet from Texas crashed in a rural area near Traverse City during a routine training exercise on Thursday, and the pilot ejected safely, according to a military spokesperson.

Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, a public affairs specialist with the 149th Fighter Wing, confirmed that the pilot was receiving medical care at a local hospital. He did not disclose the pilot’s identity or specific injuries, citing military policy.

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The aircraft was part of training exercises at a National Guard base in Alpena, approximately 190 miles north of Detroit. Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash, and social media posts showed a large plume of smoke in the air. A couple living nearby described hearing a “very loud crash” and seeing a “big fireball” in the field, though no structures were hit.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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