F-16 fighter jet crashes in Michigan as pilot ejects and is rushed to hospital

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-17 19:46:44 | Updated at 2026-09-17 20:33:37 48 minutes ago

An F-16 fighter jet burst into flames after it crashed in rural Michigan Thursday afternoon.

A jet flying with the 149th Fighter Wing from Lackland, Texas, went down in Grand Traverse County after a “mishap,” the agency confirmed.

The scene of a reported plane crash is shown Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township, Northern Michigan. WPBN

The pilot ejected and is now being treated at a nearby hospital.

The crash was reported as a possible F-16 crash. X/@fbsbuckshot

The scene of a reported plane crash, possibly an F-16, is shown near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township, Northern Michigan, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Nici Conrad via WPBN

Responders are on the scene.

A plume of smoke was filmed rising from near a highway intersection following the crash.

County authorities issued a shelter-in-place warning for the area.

The scene of a reported plane crash, possibly an F-16, is shown near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township, Northern Michigan, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Rachael Hoover via WPBN

“Shelter indoors, close windows/vents. Follow instructions from emergency personnel. More information to follow,” Grand Traverse County Emergency Management posted on social media.

“We are currently investigating the mishap,” a spokesperson for the 149th Fighter Wing told The Post.

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