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F-16 plane crash near Traverse City; Evacuation order given, pilot in stable condition, officials say
FOX 2 Detroit • • nation
Key Points:
- An F-16 military jet from the Texas Air National Guard 149th Fighter Wing crashed in Blair Township, Northern Michigan, during a joint training mission; the pilot ejected safely and is in stable condition.
- A shelter-in-place order is active in the crash area, and an evacuation has been ordered for County Road 633 from Jefferson Place to Blair Township Road due to a hazardous chemical spill caused by the crash.
- Emergency crews are on-site managing the situation, with Michigan State Police confirming the chemical spill prompted evacuations of all business and residential properties within a one-mile radius.
- Witnesses reported seeing the jet flying low and slow before the pilot ejected near the tree line, with the aircraft subsequently crashing and breaking apart.
- The F-16 Fighting Falcon, built by Lockheed Martin, is a high-performance U.S. Air Force combat jet known for its agility, durability, and capability to operate in various weather conditions.
