F16 crash in Michigan: Did a bird strike cause it? Alleged ATC audio moments before crash surfaces
An F-16 fighter jet crashed in northern Michigan, forcing evacuations, and audio suggests the pilot believed a bird strike may have caused it.
An F-16 fighter jet crashed during a routine training exercise in northern Michigan on Thursday afternoon, according to officials. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. The incident occurred near County Road 633 in Green Lake Township, a few miles east of Interlochen State Park.
The 149th Fighter Wing from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas was conducting Operation Northern Cactus, with student and instructor pilots en route to the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. An audio recording revealed that the pilot believed their aircraft may have struck a bird, stating, "We have a possible mayday by wingman.
I believe (they) may have taken a bird," to air traffic controllers, as reported by CNN. The pilot ejected safely, and witnesses reported hearing a loud crash and seeing plumes of black smoke in the area.
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