F-16 crashes in northern Michigan; pilot ejects and is stable

An F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed near a residential area in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. The pilot, from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing, ejected and is reported to be in stable condition.

After the jet hit the ground close to homes, starting a fire and producing thick smoke, authorities told Blair Township residents to shelter in place. Officials pointed beyond smoke inhalation to the aircraft's emergency power unit, which runs on hydrazine monopropellant, a highly toxic substance requiring special handling procedures.

Radio communications indicate the F-16 was flying with a second F-16 under visual flight rules, using the callsigns BUCK 11 and BUCK 12, along the low-level route VR634. On the air traffic control frequency, the pilot of BUCK 11 told Minneapolis Center that his wingman may have hit a bird and was about to eject just south of Traverse City. The same pilot declared a mayday on behalf of the other aircraft and asked controllers to send emergency services. Radio traffic confirmed only one person was aboard the aircraft that went down.

The crash site was reported near the intersection of County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township. Responders were dispatched there, and authorities asked the public to stay away.