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SecurityActive today · day 7

Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashes in northern Michigan; pilot ejects safely

A 149th Fighter Wing jet went down near Traverse City during training, triggering a hazmat evacuation and a hospital stay for the pilot.

newest coverage 21h agosummary written 6d ago135 pieces400 likes & upvotes42 comments NewswiresXMastodonGoogle NewsRedditYouTube

What to know

  • A Texas Air National Guard F-16 from the 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training exercise near Traverse City, Michigan; the pilot ejected safely and is hospitalized, conscious and alert.
  • Radio traffic from the pilot's wingman, callsign 'Buck 11,' suggests a bird strike may have caused engine failure before the crash.
  • Authorities ordered a one-mile evacuation after a hazardous chemical spill from the wreckage, likely involving hydrazine used in the jet's emergency power system.
  • The cause remains under investigation by the 149th Fighter Wing; the unit's jets had been training at Alpena and were scheduled to fly over a high school football game the next night.

“Evacuate within 1 mile of the site. Evacuate away from the intersection of Co Rd 633 and Jefferson Pl. Follow instructions from emergency personnel.”

Grand Traverse County Emergency Management, County emergency management office · NY Post ↗ · Sep 16

Sgt. Derek Gutierrez Public affairs specialist, 149th Fighter WingNicole Blonshine Blair Township SupervisorMichael D. Shea Grand Traverse County SheriffPilot, "Buck 11" Wingman pilot in the training flight149th Fighter Wing (Texas Air National Guard) Unit operating the crashed F-16

Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashes in northern Michigan; pilot ejects safely
Philadelphia Inquirer

How it unfolded 6 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideosposts

Peak 41 pieces in two hours at Sep 17, 2 PM; 135 pieces over 7 days (102 articles · 8 videos · 21 posts · 4 comments) Sep 17, 2 PM — 41 pieces · 35 articles · 6 posts — Google News 25, Newswires 10, Mastodon 4, +1 moreSep 17, 4 PM — 27 pieces · 22 articles · 2 videos · 3 posts — Google News 14, Newswires 8, Mastodon 2, +2 moreSep 17, 6 PM — 10 pieces · 5 articles · 3 videos · 1 post · 1 comment — Newswires 5, YouTube 3, Mastodon 1, +1 moreSep 17, 8 PM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 video — Newswires 2, YouTube 1Sep 17, 10 PM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Google News 2, Mastodon 1Sep 18, 12 AM — quietSep 18, 2 AM — quietSep 18, 4 AM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 comments — Reddit 2, Newswires 1Sep 18, 6 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 18, 8 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Mastodon 1Sep 18, 10 AM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 1 video · 1 post — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1, YouTube 1Sep 18, 12 PM — quietSep 18, 2 PM — quietSep 18, 4 PM — quietSep 18, 6 PM — quietSep 18, 8 PM — quietSep 18, 10 PM — quietSep 19, 12 AM — quietSep 19, 2 AM — quietSep 19, 4 AM — quietSep 19, 6 AM — quietSep 19, 8 AM — quietSep 19, 10 AM — quietSep 19, 12 PM — quietSep 19, 2 PM — quietSep 19, 4 PM — quietSep 19, 6 PM — quietSep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 10 PM — quietSep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 4 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — quietSep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 10 AM — quietSep 20, 12 PM — quietSep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 4 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — 6 pieces · 5 articles · 1 post — Newswires 5, Reddit 1Sep 22, 10 AM — 15 pieces · 14 articles · 1 post — Newswires 11, Google News 3, Mastodon 1Sep 22, 12 PM — 4 pieces · 3 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Google News 1, Mastodon 1Sep 22, 2 PM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 1 video · 1 comment — Reddit 1, Newswires 1, YouTube 1Sep 22, 4 PM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Sep 22, 6 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Yesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — 7 pieces · 6 articles · 1 post — Newswires 6, Mastodon 1Yesterday, 8 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Yesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quiet 1–6
Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 6:47 AM ET
  1. 6

    AP wrap details investigation and F-16 safety record

    Wire coverage detailed the ongoing investigation, noted the jet was among several F-16s from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland training in Michigan, and cited at least 14 Class A F-16 mishaps since 2000.

    1. 21 outlets Spangdahlem: Military aircraft crashes near US air base

      first by Deutsche Welle EN, 1d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, Anadolu Agency, Independent UK, Investing.com News, Mercury News, The War Zone +14

      19 more headlines
    2. 3 outlets Military fighter jet crashes during training exercise in Michigan

      first by Chicago Tribune, 6d ago · also WFLA, NBC News

      2 more headlines

    • The numbers will be higher when at war. I dont know if you call it "normal" not not unexpected. The cost of having highly trained pilots who can push the envelope is to sometimes lose them in training. So in a way, yes its acceptable, though these units do A LOT to minimize these mishaps. I say that from experience. If youre trying to lean this…

      letsgetbannedagain14r/news6d agoview on r/news ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 6 posts in this stretch
    • houstonpublicmedia@mastodon.social

      An F-16 military jet from the Texas Air National Guard crash landed in a field during a routine training exercise near Interlochen on Thursday afternoon, according to the Texas Military Department. https://www. houstonpublicmedia.org/article s/news/texas/2026/09/18/562188/texas-air-national-guard-jet-crashes-in-michigan/

      houstonpublicmedia@mastodon.socialMastodon5d agoview on Mastodon ↗

    • No, it's part of the F-16's emergency power unit: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12542269/ https://theaviationist.com/2019/05/19/hydrazine-a-significant-hazard-each-time-an-f-16-crashes-or-fires-up-the-emergency-power-unit/ Basically, if the main generator dies for some reason, this thing fires up to provide emergency power so the…

      WesternBlueRangerr/worldnews1d agoview on r/worldnews ↗
    all of them →
  2. 5

    Texas Military Department confirms unit and training context

    Officials confirmed the aircraft was on a routine training mission from the Air National Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena when the incident occurred.

    1. 4 outlets Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashes in Michigan, sparking evacuation

      first by ABC News, 6d ago · also UPI, Yahoo, ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

      1 more headline
    2. 2 outlets F-16 military aircraft from Texas crashes in northern Michigan

      first by Washington Examiner, 6d ago · also WV News

      1 more headline
    • newsguyusa@flipboard.social

      A Texas ANG F-16 has crashed near Traverse City, Michigan. The pilot ejected and has been taken to hospital. https://www. 9and10news.com/2026/09/17/emer gency-crews-respond-to-plane-crash-in-grand-traverse-county-2/

      newsguyusa@flipboard.socialMastodon6d agoview on Mastodon ↗
  3. 4

    Officials order one-mile evacuation over hazmat spill

    Michigan State Police evacuated residents within a mile of the crash site after a hazardous chemical spill, believed linked to hydrazine used in the F-16's emergency power unit; the pilot was conscious and speaking with law enforcement at the hospital.

    “We thought there was a car accident outside our house. We saw big billowing black smoke. We couldn't tell what it was, so my husband got into his pickup truck and saw what happened.”
    — Wendy Sobeck
    1. 3 outlets Northern Michigan F-16 crash: Residents evacuated for 6 hours

      first by MLive.com, 6d ago · also TWZ, The War Zone

      2 more headlines
    2. 1 outlet Hazardous chemical spill in F-16 crash in Michigan prompts evacuation

      first by The Detroit News, 6d ago

  4. 3

    Jet bursts into flames; pilot rushed to hospital

    The Texas National Guard pilot was hospitalized after ejecting; officials confirmed the aircraft belonged to the 149th Fighter Wing out of Lackland, Texas, and the incident is under investigation.

    “It sounded like a huge explosion. I ran out and I saw a big smoke plume, and my first thought was somebody's house blew up.”
    — Nicole Blonshine
    1. 2 outlets An F-16 fighter jet from Texas crashes in rural Michigan during training; pilot ejects safely, a military official says

      first by Philadelphia Inquirer, 6d ago · also NY Post

      1 more headline
  5. 2

    ATC audio suggests a bird strike downed the jet

    Recorded air traffic control audio captured the pilot's wingman, callsign 'Buck 11,' reporting a possible mayday and suspected bird strike before the aircraft went down.

    “We have a possible Mayday. My wingman I believe may have taken a bird.”
    — Pilot "Buck 11"

    • F-16 crashes near Green Lake Township, Michigan. Pilot has reportedly safely ejected.

      @MollyploofkinsX6d ago379▲view on X ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch

    • 🚨🇺🇸 An F-16 has crashed in Blair Township, Michigan. Reports indicate the pilot was able to eject safely. The cause of the crash is still unknown. Writer: Sol

      @MarioNawfalX6d ago18▲view on X ↗
    all of them →
  6. 1

    F-16 crashes near Traverse City, pilot ejects

    An F-16 fighter jet went down in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, during a training flight; the pilot ejected and witnesses reported a large plume of black smoke.

    “🚨🇺🇸 An F-16 has crashed in Blair Township, Michigan. Reports indicate the pilot was able to eject safely.”
    — @MarioNawfal
    1. 16 outlets Military: An F-16 crashes during training in Michigan; pilot ejects safely

      first by The Independent, 6d ago · also The Hill, CTV News, CNN, Boston Globe, Breitbart, Deccan Chronicle +9

      7 more headlines
    2. 6 outlets Pilot ejects safely after F-16 crashes during training flight in Michigan

      first by WCAX, 6d ago · also Fox News, The New Indian Express, India Today, The Times of India, NDTV

      5 more headlines
    6 more claims →

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 2 outlets F-16 crash LIVE: US fighter jet hits field and bursts into flames in Grand Traverse County

    first by Daily Express, 6d ago · also Independent UK

    1 more headline

and 8 smaller pieces

What people are saying 3 voices from 2 sites · best of 9 · verbatim