A US Air Force Thunderbird F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed during a routine training mission in the Southern California desert, prompting an emergency response from military and local authorities. The pilot survived after safely ejecting from the aircraft, the US Air Force confirmed in an official statement.

According to the Air Force Thunderbirds, the incident occurred on December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m. The F-16C was flying over controlled airspace during a standard training exercise when the pilot encountered an unspecified issue that forced an emergency ejection. The pilot descended safely and received immediate medical attention. He is reported to be in stable condition and is undergoing follow-up care.

In their statement, the Thunderbirds emphasized that the cause of the crash remains unknown. “The incident is under investigation and further information will be released from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office,” officials said, noting that a full safety review is now underway. The Thunderbirds, based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, are the Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team known for their precision flying and public airshow performances.

Local emergency agencies also played a critical role in the response. The San Bernardino County Fire Department reported that the aircraft went down near China Lake, a sparsely populated community roughly 270 kilometers north of downtown Los Angeles. Fire crews were dispatched to the dry lake bed near Trona, where flames erupted from the crash site.

The department confirmed that firefighters assisted China Lake emergency teams with fire suppression efforts and ensured the area was secured. The pilot, described as the sole occupant of the jet, suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the ejection. He was treated on-site before being transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

Officials assured residents that the crash does not pose any danger to surrounding vegetation or communities. “There is no threat to the community,” the fire department said on social media platform X, advising the public to avoid the immediate area while the investigation continues.

The F-16 involved belonged to the US Air Force Thunderbirds, as confirmed by Air Force Sgt. Jovante Johnson in an email to the Los Angeles Times. The team frequently conducts training flights in preparation for national airshows and operational readiness.

This incident echoes a previous F-16 crash in 2023, when a US fighter jet went down in western South Korea during a training exercise. In that case, the pilot also ejected safely and was rescued by emergency teams after the aircraft plunged into coastal waters near Gunsan.