US Air Force F-16C Jet Crashes During Training in California

A US Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed on Thursday during a training exercise in California, with footage of the incident rapidly circulating across social media platforms. According to international news agencies, the jet belonged to the US Air Force Thunderbirds, the service’s elite aerial demonstration team.

The crash occurred at 10:45 AM on December 3 during a routine training mission. The pilot successfully ejected before impact and was later found injured. Emergency responders transported him to a hospital for treatment, and officials said his condition is stable.

The viral video shows the aircraft descending uncontrollably before hitting the ground, followed by smoke rising from the crash site. The US Air Force immediately launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

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A spokesperson for the fire department reported that an emergency call was received in the morning, prompting a rapid response. Firefighting teams were able to contain the blaze swiftly, preventing damage to nearby homes and surrounding areas.

This crash comes shortly after another high-profile incident involving a fighter aircraft. In November, an Indian HAL Tejas fighter jet went down during a demonstration flight at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. The aircraft crashed around 2:10 PM local time, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air as emergency sirens sounded across the airfield. Spectators at the Dubai World Central venue watched in shock as rescue teams rushed to the scene.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the pilot of the Tejas jet managed to eject before impact, and details regarding casualties or the cause of that crash remain unavailable.