F-16 fighter jet crashes in Michigan, leaves black plume
USA Today
Last updated: September 18, 2026
An F-16 fighter jet crashed in northern Michigan on Thursday, September 17. The aircraft was reportedly from a Texas-based Air Force unit, and its descent created a visible black plume.
- An F-16 fighter jet experienced a crash in northern Michigan on September 17. The aircraft was confirmed to be from the Air Force and was based in Texas. The incident resulted in a notable black plume of smoke. No further details regarding the cause of the crash or the status of the pilot were immediately available from the Air Force authorities who confirmed the event. The crash occurred in a northern section of Michigan. The F-16 is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. It is a popular export aircraft. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, also known as the Viper, is a versatile aircraft used by many air forces around the world. Its capabilities include air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. The specific squadron and wing from which the F-16 originated were not specified in the confirmation, only that it was based in Texas. The investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to commence following the incident.
