US Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Jet Crashes During Training Exercise in California Desert: Pilot Safely Ejects

Dec 04, 2025 11:17 am CST

A US Air Force Thunderbird F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed during a training mission in Southern California, with footage showing the pilot successfully ejecting before the aircraft burst into flames upon impact. The pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is receiving medical treatment while authorities investigate the incident that occurred near Trona in the Mojave Desert.