GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Michigan: A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing crashed in a rural area of Grand Traverse County, Michigan, on Tuesday afternoon during a routine training mission.
The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft before impact and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. State police reported that the pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition. No other injuries were reported on the ground.
According to reports, the aircraft took off from the National Guard base in Alpena, Michigan. Preliminary information suggests that another military pilot heard a potential “mayday” call and raised concerns about a possible bird strike. The exact cause of the crash, however, remains under investigation by US military authorities.
Out of an abundance of caution regarding potential hazardous chemical materials associated with the aircraft’s wreckage, authorities temporarily evacuated residents and businesses within a one-mile radius of the crash site. Most residents were allowed to return to their homes by evening.
While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports thousands of wildlife strikes involving aircraft annually in the US, officials have not yet confirmed if a bird strike was the definitive cause of this specific incident.
