A 149th Fighter Wing F‑16 Fighting Falcon went down during a routine training sortie over Traverse City, Michigan, Thursday afternoon, forcing the pilot to eject before impact.
The jet’s landing gear folded mid‑air, and the aircraft broke apart over a wooded area, but the crew survived unhurt.
Grand Traverse County Emergency Management issued an evacuation order for the surrounding 2‑mile radius, citing potential fire and debris hazards, while the county sheriff’s office kept the area clear for investigators.
Senator Gary Peters tweeted that he was "closely monitoring" the event and that the Senate would receive a full briefing once details were confirmed.
The Texas Air National Guard released a statement on its Facebook page, noting the crash occurred during a routine training mission and that an official inquiry would determine the cause.
Earlier this year, the same wing had flown over 1,200 hours of training sorties across the United States, underscoring the gravity of the incident for the unit’s operational tempo.
The next step: the Department of Defense will conduct a safety audit and the National Transportation Safety Board will review flight records to assess whether any procedural changes are warranted.