F-16 fighter jet that crashed in US struck bird beforehand — NYP

NEW YORK, September 18. /TASS/. The pilot of an F-16 fighter jet that crashed in the US state of Michigan issued a distress call shortly before the crash and reported that the aircraft had struck a bird, The New York Post (NYP) reported.

During the flight, the pilot told an air traffic controller that a bird had disabled the aircraft’s engine. When the controller attempted to direct the fighter jet to the nearest airport, the pilot said he needed to eject.

Following the incident, local authorities ordered an evacuation within a one-mile radius of the fighter jet’s wreckage.

NBC previously reported that an F-16 fighter jet had crashed in northern Michigan. According to the network, the incident occurred at around 2:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. Moscow time) on Wednesday. The pilot ejected and was hospitalized in stable condition. Local residents were instructed to remain inside their homes and keep their windows closed.