Texas Air National Guard F-16 Crashes in Michigan, Pilot Ejects Safely

A Texas Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet crashed in a residential area of northern Michigan on Thursday, prompting a hazardous chemical spill and a one-mile evacuation order. The pilot ejected safely and was reported to be in stable condition. The crash occurred in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County, south of Traverse City, during a routine training mission. The aircraft belonged to the 149th Fighter Wing based at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas and was operating from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center as part of a training exercise called Operation Northern Cactus. Emergency crews responded to the scene after the jet went down near the intersection of County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road. Video footage showed a fireball and a large plume of black smoke rising from the crash site. Witnesses reported hearing explosions, which a police officer attributed to ammunition in the aircraft. The pilot, whose identity was not released per military policy, was taken to a local hospital. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael D. Shea confirmed the pilot was conscious and able to speak with law enforcement.