USAF Thunderbirds F-16C Crash Near Trona Airport; Pilot Ejects and Safe
An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team crashed near Trona Airport in San Bernardino County, California, on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. during a training mission in controlled airspace, as confirmed by the U.S. Air Force.
Emergency responders from San Bernardino County Fire Station 57 quickly attended to reports of an aircraft emergency near the San Bernardino–Inyo County line. Officials reported that the aircraft went down in a dry lake bed near Trona, leading to coordinated fire suppression efforts with teams from China Lake.
The pilot, who was the only person on board, managed to eject successfully. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for additional care. Authorities confirmed there was no danger to nearby vegetation or the community and advised the public to stay clear of the area.
The U.S. Air Force released a statement saying, “The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care. The incident is under investigation, and further details will be released by the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office.”
Photos and videos on social media depicted a column of black smoke at the crash site and appeared to show the pilot's parachute deploying. Observers, including photographers following the Thunderbirds' formation earlier, noted that only five jets returned to base after the training mission.
Initial indications from local scanners and social media hinted at involvement of a Thunderbird jet before official validation came through.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
