US F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes Near Death Valley; Turns Into Fireball After Impact

Washington: The reputation of the iconic American F-16 fighter jet took a major hit on Wednesday after a US Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed near Trona Airport in California. The dramatic incident, which occurred on 3 December at around 10:45 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves through military aviation circles.

The aircraft went down in a remote desert region south of Death Valley. Moments after hitting the ground, the jet exploded, turning into a massive fireball. Video footage posted online shows thick black smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulfed the crash site.

The US Air Force confirmed the crash in an official statement, adding that the pilot managed to eject safely before the fatal impact.

Pilot Ejects in Time, Suffers Minor Injuries

According to the Air Force statement, the crash occurred during a routine training mission over controlled airspace in California. The pilot—part of the elite Thunderbirds demonstration team—ejected safely using a parachute.
Online videos show the pilot descending to the ground moments before the jet smashed into the desert floor.

He sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Ridgecrest for treatment. San Bernardino County Fire Department officials said emergency crews responded immediately and confirmed the pilot was the only person onboard.

Authorities also noted that the fire did not spread to nearby vegetation and posed no risk to surrounding areas. Residents were urged to stay away from the crash zone.

Cause of Crash Under Investigation

The US Air Force has launched a formal investigation into the incident. An initial assessment of the crash site is underway, and more details are expected once the preliminary inspection is completed.

Officials revealed that six Thunderbird jets had taken off earlier in the day for the training mission, but only five returned. Early reports indicate that the aircraft went down near the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, one of the US Navy’s largest testing and evaluation facilities.

The airspace around the site is frequently used for military flight training, adding further significance to the investigation.

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