Thunderbirds F-16 Crashes in California, Pilot Ejects Safely

A US Air Force Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed during a training mission over California’s Mojave Desert on December 3, 2025, with the pilot ejecting safely and sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred near Trona, approximately 27 miles from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Edwards Air Force Base dispatched an environmental response team to manage hazardous materials, including hydrazine from the aircraft’s emergency power unit. The Air Force has initiated a formal investigation into the crash’s cause.