F-16 fighter jet crashes in rural Michigan; pilot ejects and is taken to hospital

The jet was flying with the 149th Fighter Wing from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, which confirmed that the pilot ejected, was rushed to the hospital and is in stable condition.

By Just the News staff

Published: September 17, 2026 4:22pm

An F-16 fighter jet crashed and burst into flames in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, on Thursday.

The jet was flying with the 149th Fighter Wing from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, which confirmed that the pilot ejected, was rushed to the hospital and is in stable condition, after parachuting to the ground, according to CBS News Detroit.

While a shelter-in-place order is in effect, Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine said she doesn’t believe anyone on the ground was hurt or that any homes were damaged, and that the cause of the crash is not known at this time.