US F16-C Jet Crashes Into Flames In California, Pilot Ejects Safely

A US Air Force Thunderbirds F-16C fighter jet crashed in the remote Mojave Desert near Trona, California, during a routine training flight on Wednesday morning. Dramatic eyewitness video captured the aircraft suddenly losing control, drifting uncontrollably, and then slamming into the ground, erupting into a massive fireball with thick black smoke. The elite demonstration team’s jet was completely destroyed in the sparsely populated desert area.

The female pilot ejected safely just before impact, with her parachute deploying perfectly. She sustained only non-life-threatening injuries and was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. No ground personnel or civilians were hurt, and the Thunderbirds confirmed the incident, stating an investigation is underway with more details to follow.