From ABC News · ABC News · · 1m 20s
Texas F-16 crashes in Michigan during training
A fighter jet went down during a routine training mission, forcing evacuations and leaving the pilot hospitalized.
In brief
A fighter jet went down during a routine training mission, forcing evacuations and leaving the pilot hospitalized. A Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashed in Michigan on September 17, 2026, during a training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was hospitalized, but the crash triggered a hazardous chemical spill that…
F-16 goes down in Michigan
A Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashed in Green Lake Township, Michigan on Thursday afternoon during a routine training mission from Alpena's Combat Readiness Training Center.
Pilot safely ejects
The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was conscious and speaking with law enforcement.
“The pilot successfully ejected the aircraft and is receiving care at a nearby hospital.”
Chemical spill triggers evacuation
A hazardous chemical spill related to the crash forced authorities to evacuate homes and businesses within one mile of the crash site.
Hours-long evacuation lifted
The evacuation order was lifted at approximately 9:45 p.m. Thursday, about seven and a half hours after the crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m.
All aircraft grounded
All Texas Air National Guard aircraft in Michigan for the training were immediately grounded and will likely remain so for the next 24 hours pending investigation.
What to remember
A Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashed in Michigan on September 17, 2026, during a training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was hospitalized, but the crash triggered a hazardous chemical spill that forced evacuations within a mile of the site.
