An Air Force Thunderbirds pilot ejected safely from an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission in Southern California on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, marking another incident for the elite aerial demonstration team. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained only non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition receiving medical care.
The dramatic crash occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. PST near Trona in San Bernardino County, roughly 27 miles from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Video footage captured online shows the moment the jet plummeted into a dry lake bed in the unpopulated desert area, erupting in a massive explosion as the pilot successfully deployed a parachute nearby.
What Happened During the Training Mission
The incident unfolded during a routine training flight over
controlled airspace, according to official statements from the Thunderbirds. San Bernardino County Fire officials responded to the scene around 11:10 a.m., working alongside Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake emergency personnel to extinguish the resulting fire from the downed aircraft.
The crash site is located in a major live weapons firing range used by all military services, making it an appropriate training area for the high-performance maneuvers the Thunderbirds regularly execute. Edwards Air Force Base dispatched an environmental response team to address potential hazards, including
highly toxic hydrazine, a flammable chemical used in the F-16's Emergency Power Unit (EPU) that requires specialized decontamination procedures.
The Thunderbirds: Elite Precision Flyers
The Thunderbirds, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, represent the
Air Force's premier aerial demonstration team, performing some of the service's most demanding precision maneuvers. The squadron flies F-16C Fighting Falcons in tightly choreographed formations that demand year-round training and extensive flight hours to maintain operational excellence.
Pilots selected for the team are drawn from operational fighter squadrons and often bring combat experience to their roles. They typically serve
two-year tours on the demonstration team before returning to active fighter assignments, with their annual schedule including dozens of air show performances across the country as part of the Air Force's recruitment and community outreach mission.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the crash remains unclear as the
57th Wing Public Affairs Office conducts a full investigation into the incident. This crash adds to the Thunderbirds' history of training mishaps—the team experienced a fatal incident in 2018 when Major Stephen Del Bagno was killed during a routine training flight near Nellis Air Force Base. That tragedy prompted the Air Force to conduct a comprehensive safety review, highlighting how the high-speed, high-G nature of the team's routines carries inherent risk even in controlled environments.
The Air Force has committed to releasing further information as the investigation progresses, with updates expected from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office at Nellis Air Force Base.
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Fox News - Thunderbirds pilot ejects safely as F-16C crashes during California training mission2.
Nellis Air Force Base - Thunderbird Aircraft Incident3.
Stars and Stripes - Air Force Thunderbird jet crashes in Southern California4.
Fox LA - Thunderbird F-16 crashes in Southern California5.
ABC News - Air Force Thunderbird crashes in California's Mojave Desert
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1. Thunderbirds pilot ejects safely as F-16C crashes during California ...
2. Thunderbird Aircraft Incident - Nellis Air Force Base - AF.mil
3. Video Air Force Thunderbird crashes in California's Mojave Desert
4. Thunderbird F-16 crashes in Southern California; pilot ejects safely
5. Air Force Thunderbird jet crashes in Southern California; pilot ejects ...
