A United States Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from the elite Thunderbirds demonstration squadron crashed near Trona Airport in San Bernardino County, California, on Wednesday morning. Emergency units rushed to the scene after reports of an aircraft going down near the San Bernardino–Inyo County line.
Pilot Ejected Safely; No Threat to Community
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, personnel from Station 57 responded immediately to the aircraft emergency. The fighter jet went down in a dry lake bed near Trona, where fire crews worked alongside China Lake emergency teams to contain a small fire linked to the crash.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
“The solo pilot was treated on scene for non-life-threatening injuries and transported to a local hospital,” the department reported.
They also emphasized there was no threat to surrounding vegetation, no active hazard to local communities, and urged the public to avoid the crash area.
US Air Force Confirms Thunderbirds F-16C Crash
The USAF issued an official statement confirming that the downed aircraft was an F-16C of the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team.
“On December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Thunderbird pilot ejected safely from an F-16C Fighting Falcon during a training mission over controlled airspace in California,” the Air Force stated.
The Thunderbirds added that the pilot is in stable condition and receiving proper medical care. No further injuries or casualties have been reported.
Cause of the Crash Under Investigation
The Air Force said the incident remains under investigation, and additional details will be released by the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office, which oversees the Thunderbirds squadron.
About the F-16C Thunderbirds
The F-16C Fighting Falcon is a high-performance, single-engine fighter aircraft widely used for air demonstrations and advanced training missions. The Thunderbirds squadron performs precision aerial maneuvers at airshows across the United States.