F-16 Fighter Jet Crash in Michigan Triggers Shelter Order
WHO:
CNN - The pilot of the F-16 fighter jet ejected safely and was receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.
FOX 2 Detroit - The F-16 was from the Texas Air National Guard 149th Fighter Wing.
WHAT:
CNN - An air traffic controller relayed that the jet may have lost an engine before the pilot ejected, stating, “It appears that they may have lost an engine and ejected…. but we do see a lot of black smoke, which we believe is the ejected F-16.”
ABC News - Witness Wendy Sobeck reported hearing a “very loud crash” and described seeing “big billowing black smoke” and “plane debris in the field” after the crash.
CNN - Video showed a fireball in a field next to homes and a large smoke plume in the community south of Traverse City.
IJR - Authorities are assessing the incident amid unconfirmed reports.
FOX 2 Detroit - Acting emergency manager Brandon Perry confirmed that crews were at the scene of the crash.
FOX 2 Detroit - Michigan State Police reported that a hazardous chemical spill related to the plane crash prompted the evacuation order within a mile radius.
CNN - The F-16 was participating in training exercises at a National Guard Base in Alpena, Michigan.
CNN - Audio captured by LiveATC.net revealed a military pilot alerted air traffic controllers about a possible mayday due to a bird strike.
CNN - An air traffic controller relayed that it appeared the jet may have lost an engine before the pilot ejected.
FOX 2 Detroit - A hazardous chemical spill related to the crash prompted an evacuation order within a mile radius of the crash site.
CNN - A US military F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training exercise, bursting into flames.
IJR - Emergency crews closed County Road 633 and issued a shelter-in-place order in parts of the area.
FOX 2 Detroit - The pilot ejected before the crash and is in stable condition.
FOX 2 Detroit - An evacuation order was issued for County Rd 633 from Jefferson Pl to Blair Township Rd due to a hazardous chemical spill related to the crash.
WHERE:
FOX 2 Detroit - All business and residential properties in the area of County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Rd were evacuated.
CNN - The crash occurred in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, specifically near Blair Township, southwest of Traverse City.
FOX 2 Detroit - The crash site is located near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Rd.
WHEN:
CNN - The crash happened on a Thursday afternoon.
FOX 2 Detroit - The crash occurred mid-afternoon on Thursday.
WHY:
CNN - The pilot reported a possible mayday due to a bird strike, indicating a potential cause for the crash.
HOW:
FOX 2 Detroit - Witness Heather Fitzgerald reported that she saw the pilot eject from the jet before it crashed, stating, “I watched him cross over highway and I looked away for a minute and when I looked back… I saw him eject from the jet.”
FOX 2 Detroit - Witness Heather Fitzgerald reported that she saw the jet flying really low and really slow before the crash.
FOX 2 Detroit - Witness Heather Fitzgerald reported that she saw the pilot eject from the jet before it crashed.
CNN - The pilot ejected from the aircraft before the crash occurred.
FOX 2 Detroit - Witness Heather Fitzgerald observed the pilot ejecting from the jet before it crashed.
(UPDATED September 18, 2026 13:58 UTC)
An air traffic controller has reported that a jet may have lost an engine before the pilot ejected, noting the presence of significant black smoke believed to be from the downed F-16. Witnesses described a very loud crash, with one seeing debris scattered in a field and another observing the pilot eject from the aircraft just moments before it went down. Heather Fitzgerald shared her experience, saying she watched the pilot cross over a highway before he ejected from the jet.
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(UPDATED September 18, 2026 02:08 UTC)
A dramatic incident unfolded south of Traverse City, where video footage captured a fireball in a field near homes, accompanied by a large plume of smoke. Authorities are currently assessing the situation, with unconfirmed reports emerging, while acting emergency manager Brandon Perry confirmed that crews are on the scene of the crash. Michigan State Police have reported a hazardous chemical spill linked to the incident, prompting an evacuation order within a mile radius, and witnesses describe seeing the jet flying unusually low and slow just before the crash.
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(UPDATED September 18, 2026 01:22 UTC)
A military F-16 participating in training exercises at a National Guard Base in Alpena, Michigan, experienced a potential emergency after a bird strike, prompting the pilot to alert air traffic controllers about a possible mayday. Witness Heather Fitzgerald reported seeing the pilot eject from the jet just before it crashed, leading to an evacuation order for all businesses and residences within a mile radius of the crash site due to a hazardous chemical spill. The evacuation affected properties near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road as authorities responded to the incident.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 21:59 UTC)
A US military F-16 fighter jet from the Texas Air National Guard 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training exercise in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, bursting into flames. The pilot safely ejected before the crash and is currently in stable condition, while emergency crews have closed County Road 633 and issued evacuation and shelter-in-place orders due to a hazardous chemical spill related to the incident. Witnesses reported that the pilot indicated a possible mayday due to a bird strike just before the ejection.