A U.S. F-16 went down Thursday afternoon in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County, just south of Traverse City. The jet struck rural ground near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road.
First reports say the pilot ejected and was conscious. That account has not been formally confirmed by the military. Even a clean ejection can leave a flyer hurt, so the pilot’s condition remains the first concern.
County officials issued a shelter-in-place order along County Road 633 from Jefferson Place to Blair Townhall Road. Traffic was closed. Crews moved in on a brush fire and the wreck site. Video from a nearby road shows a heavy smoke column rising behind trees and fields.
No civilian injuries have been reported. The cause is unknown. Investigators will sort the rest. For now the facts are simple: the aircraft is down, the pilot got out, and local crews have the scene.
Sources: FOX 2 Detroit; Grand Traverse County Emergency Management; Grand Traverse 911; 9&10 News; Breaking911; local eyewitness video.
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