The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Exclusive: Body camera video shows military pilot’s rescue after Michigan jet crash
An F-16 fighter jet crashed near homes in Michigan after its pilot ejected. Newly obtained bodycam footage captures the aftermath, including the pilot's efforts to avoid hitting homes and power lines.
A Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing crashed in Michigan while on a training mission, with the pilot ejecting safely. The flight originated from the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, MI.
Body-worn camera footage obtained by Scripps News shows first responders treating the pilot after the ejection, including medical care and transport to a hospital. The pilot’s name has not been publicly released.
Witnesses describe seeing an orange parachute and a fireball in a wetlands area across from a northern Michigan home, where debris from the aircraft was scattered but homes remained intact. One neighbor reported seeing the parachute and locating the pilot.
First responders and a nearby resident helped locate the pilot and guide authorities to the scene, where medics cut away the pilot’s uniform and placed him on a backboard before an ambulance transfer.
Military officials have stated the pilot was safe after the crash and indicated the incident involved a loss of engine power, though the exact cause has not been publicly disclosed. The broader investigation into aviation mishaps is ongoing, with a DoD task force aiming to identify root causes.