Texas Guard F-16 Crashes Near Traverse City

An F-16 from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing crashed around 2 p.m. EDT on Sept. 17, 2026, near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, during a joint training exercise based out of Alpena about 190 miles north of Detroit. The aircraft was among F-16s from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The pilot ejected and parachuted before impact, was reported in stable condition and conscious and alert, and was taken to a local hospital. Sgt. Derek Gutierrez said the pilot was receiving treatment and declined identity or injury details under military policy. Officials said no ground injuries or home damage occurred. Fred Sobeck said he saw a "big fireball in the field" near a house and camper that were not hit and that police told him to leave because of explosions. Wendy Sobeck said they thought it was a car accident, saw billowing black smoke and plane debris, and that explosions kept happening. Grand Traverse County Emergency Management ordered evacuation within one mile and posted a shelter-in-place for County Road 633 from Jefferson Place to Blair Townhall Road, telling residents to stay indoors and close windows and vents. FBI, Michigan State Police, Blair Fire Department, and county sheriff and emergency management agencies responded. A 149th Fighter Wing spokesperson said, "We are currently investigating the mishap." Contested: none found in the record. The cause remained under investigation.