An F-16 fighter jet crashed Thursday in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, prompting an evacuation order for part of County Road 633, according to county emergency management officials.
The pilot ejected from the aircraft and is in stable condition while receiving medical treatment, a spokesperson for the Texas National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing confirmed. Michigan State Police, assisting the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, said no other injuries have been reported.
The Texas Military Department said the 149th Fighter Wing’s Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon was flying a routine training mission from the Air National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena when it experienced an incident Thursday afternoon.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Emergency management officials initially issued a shelter-in-place order for County Road 633 between Jefferson Place and Blair Townhall Road. Residents in the area were told to remain indoors, close windows and vents, and follow directions from emergency personnel.
Officials have since ordered evacuations within a 1-mile radius of the crash site. Residents in that zone are urged to leave the area around the intersection of County Road 633 and Jefferson Place. Shelter is available at Kensington Church, 6880 Secor Road in Traverse City, Michigan, with the church and the American Red Cross assisting affected residents, emergency management said.
ALSO READ: Pentagon Insiders Question Hegseth Wife’s Role in Meetings
Grand Traverse County officials said the aircraft went down near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road. Traffic has been shut down in the area as responders work at the scene, and authorities have asked the public to stay away.
Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine said she does not believe anyone on the ground was injured or that any homes were damaged.
Blonshine did not provide details about what caused the crash, who was operating the aircraft or whether anyone else was aboard.