An elite US Air Force stunt squadron’s F-16 fighter jet crashed in the Southern California desert, but the pilot safely ejected, the military confirmed. The Thunderbirds demonstration squadron aircraft went down during a training mission over controlled airspace in California, with the pilot sustaining non life-threatening injuries and receiving treatment at a local hospital. The incident, which occurred around 10:45 am, prompted a response from the San Bernardino County Fire Department near Trona, an unincorporated community in the Mojave Desert.
This crash comes after a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed in the same area in 2022, resulting in the pilot’s death. The Air Force is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s crash, with more details expected to be released by the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office. Similar to the Navy’s Blue Angels, the Air Force Thunderbirds are renowned for their precision flying displays at air shows, flying in close formations.
The Thunderbirds spokesperson stated that the pilot ejected safely from the F-16C Fighting Falcon during the training mission. The Thunderbirds, established in 1953, operate out of Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, practicing with various aircraft including F-16 Falcon and F-22 Raptor fighter jets. In a separate incident, a fighter jet crash at the Dubai Airshow last month claimed the life of a pilot flying an Indian Tejas aircraft, resulting in immediate rescue efforts and a temporary halt to the event.