Liputan6.com, Jakarta - An F-16 Fighting Falcon belonging to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration team crashed in California on December 3, 2025.
The incident happened at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time, while the aircraft was conducting a routine training mission in controlled airspace.
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The crash site was near Trona Airport in San Bernardino County, a desert area not far from Death Valley.
The pilot of the advanced fighter jet successfully ejected safely, according to ABC.
Despite minor to moderate injuries, the pilot's condition was reported to be stable and he received medical attention.
F-16 Thunderbirds Crash in California Desert
An F-16 Thunderbirds plane crash occurred in the California desert, near Trona Airport in San Bernardino County.
This area is an unincorporated community in the Mojave Desert, approximately 290 kilometers north of Los Angeles.
The incident attracted significant attention given the Thunderbirds' reputation as an elite U.S. Air Force air demonstration squadron.
The aircraft involved was an F-16C Fighting Falcon, a multirole fighter jet known for its agility and capability.
This aircraft is an integral part of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department was the first to arrive, working with personnel from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and local emergency management.
Pilot's Condition and In-Depth Investigation
The good news is that the Thunderbirds pilot ejected safely from the cockpit moments before the crash.
Reports indicate the pilot sustained minor to moderate injuries and he was immediately taken to a local hospital in Ridgecrest for further treatment and is currently in stable condition.
The cause of the F-16 Thunderbirds crash remains a mystery. The US Air Force has confirmed that the incident occurred during a training mission in controlled airspace.
A comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the factors that led to the crash, including possible technical issues or other factors.
The 57th Wing Public Affairs Office is expected to release further information regarding the investigation's findings.
Incident Moments and Public Response
Before the crash, an eyewitness reported seeing at least four Thunderbirds flying low over the area.
One motorist, Darren Springer, 60, said he was driving south from Death Valley when he saw an explosion that sent up a thick plume of black smoke.
“My heart sank,” he said.
He looked through a pair of binoculars and saw the wreckage of a fighter jet strewn across the desert floor at the edge of the Searles dry lake.
That was followed by a response from “just about every emergency vehicle you could imagine,” he said.