{"id":2664097,"date":"2026-09-18T10:53:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T14:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pilot-safely-ejects-from-f-16-before-fiery-crash-in-michigan\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T10:56:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T14:56:24","slug":"pilot-safely-ejects-from-f-16-before-fiery-crash-in-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pilot-safely-ejects-from-f-16-before-fiery-crash-in-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot Safely Ejects from F-16 Before Fiery Crash in Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpilot-safely-ejects-from-f-16-before-fiery-crash-in-michigan%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2664097&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Texas Air National Guard pilot ejected safely before their F-16 fighter jet crashed in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, during a routine training mission. The crash, under examination, possibly involved a bird strike that caused engine failure, and the pilot was reported to be in stable condition. The incident prompted evacuation and shelter-in-place orders due to a hazardous chemical spill related to the crash, affecting nearby residents. These orders were later lifted, allowing residents to return home.Witnesses described hearing explosions, and authorities confirmed there were no injuries on the ground or damage to houses. The pilot&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-korean-diplomat-suffers-broken-nose-in-random-nyc-attack\/\" title=\"South Korean Diplomat Suffers Broken Nose in Random NYC Attack\">identity remains undisclosed<\/a> as of the latest reports.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A Texas Air National Guard pilot is safe after ejecting from an F-16 moments before a fiery crash in Michigan on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The accident, which occurred in Grand Traverse County, involved a pilot from the 149th Fighter Wing during a routine training mission.<\/p>\n<p>It had taken off from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/24-year-old-national-guard-airman-dies-snowboarding-malls-indoor-slope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Air National Guard\u2019s<\/a> Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, where the San Antonio-based unit was for training.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s unclear what happened, with the 149th Fighter Wing\u2019s public affairs specialist, Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, telling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/texas-air-national-guard-pilot-ejects-safely-before-f-16-crash-michigan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a> that the reason for the crash was unspecified and under investigation.<\/p>\n<p>However, the pilot ejected and was in stable condition.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/plane-crash-grand-traverse-county-michigan-shelter-in-place\/\">CBS News<\/a> said that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >air traffic control audio suggested<\/a> that the jet may have \u201ctaken a bird.\u201d The F-16 only has one engine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a possible mayday by wingman. I believe (they) may have taken a bird,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2026\/09\/17\/us\/f-16-crashes-michigan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CNN<\/a> reported a pilot saying on the audio.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt appears that they may have lost an engine and ejected\u2026 but we do see a lot of black smoke, which we believe is the ejected F-16,\u201d a controller said on the recording.<\/p>\n<p>Video of the aftermath quickly circulated online.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">An F-16 fighter jet crashed in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, on Thursday, and an evacuation order is in effect along part of County Road 633, the county\u2019s emergency management said.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson with the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas National Guard confirmed that the\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ryAwGPb5DA\">pic.twitter.com\/ryAwGPb5DA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 CBS News (@CBSNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CBSNews\/status\/2100683059964117456?\">September 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">BREAKING: An F-16 fighter jet crashed in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County, northern Michigan, near County Road 633.<\/p>\n<p>The pilot ejected successfully and is reported to be conscious and alert.<\/p>\n<p>Plane \u2013 Crash \u2013 Michigan<br \/> \ud83c\udfa5TCD News <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rc3Ig0rVkn\">pic.twitter.com\/rc3Ig0rVkn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/geotechwar\/status\/2100666453779497189?\">September 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While an evacuation order was issued along part of County Road 633 and a shelter-in-place order was issued for those in the area, Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine said she didn\u2019t believe that there were any injuries on the ground or houses damaged.<\/p>\n<p>The evacuation, Michigan State Police said, was because of \u201ca hazardous chemical spill related to the plane crash.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">UPDATE: 9\/17\/26 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>Due to a hazardous chemical spill related to the plane crash, all business and residential properties within a one-mile radius of County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Rd. are being evacuated.<\/p>\n<p>If you need assistance evacuating that area, please call\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 MSP Seventh District (@mspnorthernmi) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mspnorthernmi\/status\/2100684545251037451?\">September 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As of 9:44 p.m., the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/evacuation-ordered-canadian-owned-gas-pipeline-springs-major-leak-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evacuation order<\/a> had been lifted.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Update: 9-17-26 at 9:44 pm.<\/p>\n<p>The evacuation order has been lifted, and County Road 633 is now open.<\/p>\n<p>Residents may now return to their homes near the plane crash site.<\/p>\n<p>Some residents of the Glacier Pond subdivision will not be able to drive to their homes at this time. You may\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/m2CBu6o59o\">pic.twitter.com\/m2CBu6o59o<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 MSP Seventh District (@mspnorthernmi) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mspnorthernmi\/status\/2100762920896340303?\">September 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cResidents who cannot return home have been contacted by first responders directly,\u201d the police said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you for your patience and cooperation as first responders work to keep the community safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Local residents described the crash as a fireball followed by subsequent explosive sounds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe could hear explosions coming from the fire and asked a police officer what it was we were hearing as we were driving away, and he told us it was a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taiwanese-fighter-jet-crash-lands-at-hawaii-airport-report\/\" title=\"Taiwanese Fighter ... ... Lands At Hawaii Airport: Report\">fighter jet crash<\/a> and the explosions were ammunition,\u201d said Shellie Doornbos, who was returning home with her husband.<\/p>\n<p>As of Friday morning, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/national-guard-pilot-honored-pulling-off-unprecedented-emergency-landing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pilot<\/a> had not been identified in media reports.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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