Blair Township plane crash: Videos show F-16 jet in flames near County Road 633; what we know so far
Update: An audio recording obtained by WOOD TV indicated the pilot believed the jet may have hit a bird.
“We have a possible mayday by wingman. I believe (they) may have taken a bird,” a military pilot alerted air traffic controllers, as per CNN.
As per CNN, the pilot was the only person onboard the plane and ejected before the crash. No one else was injured, and the pilot is in stable condition at a local hospital.
A spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs confirmed that the F-16 is part of the 149th Fighter Wing from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas.
Initial story: A plane has reportedly crashed in Grand Traverse County, Michiganand visuals from the scene are now circulating online.
Where did the crash happen?
As per WPBN, responders are heading to a reported plane crash near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township. County Road 633 has been shut down following the incident.
Here is the video:
What do officials say?
Grand Traverse 911 confirmed that the plane is down near the intersection. Traffic in the area has been shut down, and drivers have been asked to avoid the area.
F-16 crashes in Michigan as pilot ejects safely
According to reports by Nick Sortor on X, an F-16 has crashed in northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse County. Sortor said eyewitnesses stated the pilot successfully ejected and is “conscious and alert,” citing X user @sentdefender.
Sortor added, “Thank GOD,” and noted, “Even successful ejections though can result in pretty serious and even permanent injuries, so say a prayer for this pilot today.”
It is currently unclear why the F-16 went down.
No information about injuries or the circumstances of the crash was immediately available. This is a developing story and further details are awaited.
