An F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed near a residential area in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, with radio traffic indicating a possible bird strike. News reports indicate the pilot, from the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing, ejected successfully.
Residents of Blair Township, Grand Traverse County have been ordered to shelter in place by authorities after the F-16 impacted the ground near residential properties sparking a fire and thick smoke. As well as the dangers of smoke inhalation, the F-16’s emergency power unit (EPU) uses highly toxic hydrazine monopropellant as its fuel, requiring special procedures to handle.
VIDEO: An F-16 fighter jet crashed Sept. 17 in a field south of Traverse City as witnesses showed video of the crash site and the trail of black smoke.
: https://t.co/zBI0BJhzB4 pic.twitter.com/ok6b6lAgtZ
— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) September 17, 2026
The jet was flying alongside another F-16 under visual flight rules (VFR) using the callsigns BUCK 11 and BUCK 12. Radio communications between BUCK 11 and Minneapolis Centre air traffic control suggest that BUCK 12 may have struck and/or ingested a bird, causing the crash.
F-16 crash ATC audio, BUCK 11 flt x2 F-16s were flying along the VFR low level route VR634 when the 11 advised MINNEAPOLIS CENTER that his wingman may have hit a bird and was going to eject just south of Traverse City, Michigan
Audio via @liveatc https://t.co/sUR7KZBR2j pic.twitter.com/QdcE4ePiUd
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) September 17, 2026
BUCK 11 initiated the mayday call on behalf of his stricken wingman and advised controllers to alert emergency services. The radio chatter also confirmed only one pilot was in the downed F-16.
STAY AWAY FROM THE AREA: Responders are heading to a reported plane crash near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township.
Grand Traverse 911 says the plane is down near the intersection. Traffic in the area is shut down, and drivers should avoid the area.… pic.twitter.com/jQjFIlHoT4
— UpNorthLive News (@upnorthlive) September 17, 2026
The 149th Fighter Wing, based at Kelly Field, San Antonio, is currently deployed to Michigan taking part in Operation Northern Cactus, exercising the unit’s ability to deploy forces and operate from an expeditionary location.
FOX 2 Detroit secured a statement from the Texas National Guard confirming that it was their jet and pilot, and that the pilot is in a stable condition.
Though near to houses, images shared by local residents online show the jet thankfully impacted a clear grass area. The tail of the jet can be seen amongst the flames.
An f-16 just went down in northern michigan. Details still becoming available. As far as I heard the Pilot is conscience. Praying for him and any involved. Absolutely crazy situation. #northernmichigan #f16crash #michigan #f16 #emergencylanding pic.twitter.com/e7HKR2002D
— BuckshotPlays (@fbsbuckshot) September 17, 2026
This article covers a breaking news story and may be updated as and when new information becomes available.