A Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from an F-16 fighter jet moments before it crashed into the California desert and sent emergency crews rushing to the scene.
The pilot, the sole occupant of the F-16C Fighting Falcon of the 10:45 a.m. Wednesday crash, had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital, according to a news release from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office, as well as a San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson. The fire department said it is assisting China Lake emergency resources with fire suppression stemming from a downed aircraft in the dry lake bed near Trona.
The crash happened in San Bernardino County, near the community of Trona, California.
The public is requested to avoid the immediate area, but officials said there was no threat to the community after the crash.
The cause of the ejection and crash are under investigation.
Jarod M. Hamilton, the Director of Photography for Callsign Magazine, a publication that focuses on military aviation, shared a photo of the alleged crash on X.
“I'm onsite at the Thunderbird crash,” he wrote at 2:45 p.m. “Will update with more info later. There was an ejection and the pilot is being transported to the hospital right now.”
The cost of an F-16C ranges from about $20 million for older models to roughly $349 million per jet for new Block 70/72 variants, including support, training and upgrades, according to a 2023 Simple Flying article.
F-16 jets are operated by the U.S. and many allied air forces. U.S. pilots must meet strict standards, complete rigorous pilot training, and excel in the training program to qualify to fly one. There are age limits, physical standards such as weight, height, and vision, and no history of asthma or allergies after age 12.
Candidates also need a bachelor’s degree and must pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. They are then selected by a board to enter the Undergraduate Pilot Training program.
During the training, participants are evaluated on their performance, and those aiming for fighter aircraft must rank at or near the top of their class to be assigned to the fighter or bomber track.
Upon completing training, pilots are assigned to a specific aircraft, which could include the F-16, depending on their performance and the Air Force’s needs.
The 57th Wing Public Affairs Office said additional details on Wednesday’s crash will be released as they become available.
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