An F-16 fighter jet crashed in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, on Thursday, triggering an evacuation order along part of County Road 633, the county’s emergency management said.
Grand Traverse officials said the plane went down near County Road 633 and Blair Townhall Road and that traffic in the area was shut down. Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine said she did not believe anyone on the ground was hurt or that any homes were damaged.
A spokesperson with the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas National Guard confirmed that the pilot ejected and is in stable condition. They are currently receiving medical treatment. Michigan State Police, which is assisting the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, says no other injuries were reported.
“A 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon was on a routine training mission from the Air National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center, in Alpena, when it experienced an incident earlier this afternoon,” the Texas Military Department said in a statement.
The crash is under investigation.
Emergency management initially issued a shelter-in-place order covering County Road 633 from Jefferson Place to Blair Townhall Road. Officials had instructed those in the area to stay indoors, close their windows and vents, and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
An evacuation order is in effect at about 5 p.m. local time within 1 mile of the site. Anyone in that area is urged to evacuate away from the intersection of County Road 633 and Jefferson Place. Shelter is available at Kensington Church (6880 Secor Road in Traverse City, Michigan). Emergency management says Kensington Church and the American Red Cross are assisting impacted residents.
Officials lifted the order sometime before 10 p.m., saying impacted residents can return to their homes. However, some residents, including those of the Glacier Pond subdivision, will not be able to return home. Emergency management says those residents have been contacted by first responders.
Munson Healthcare in Traverse City says it is the local decontamination site after first responders and community members were exposed to a hazardous chemical called hydrazine. Anyone who was within 1 mile of the crash site and are symptomatic should seek medical attention. Anyone who is asymptomatic is advised to monitor for signs such as coughing, wheezing or trouble breathing and should seek medical care if they notice the symptoms.
