Pilot Ejects Safely In California Desert Incident
A US Air Force Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed on December 3, 2025, during a routine training mission over California, but the pilot safely ejected and is receiving medical care. The incident occurred near Trona, close to the San Bernardino-Inyo County line, with no injuries reported on the ground. The crash site, located near Trona Airport and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, is being managed by Edwards Air Force Base’s environmental response team due to potential hazardous materials. The USAF has initiated a formal investigation into the cause of the crash, which was reported by AeroTime.