U.S. F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes During Training Mission (Video)

A U.S. F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training mission in Michigan, and the pilot was injured after successfully ejecting from the aircraft before the crash.

The incident occurred on Thursday in a rural area of Michigan, in the northern United States, near a National Guard base in the Albion region. The fighter jet was participating in military exercises, according to Associated Press.

The pilot managed to parachute to safety before the plane crashed and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A local official reported that the pilot was conscious and able to speak upon arrival at the hospital, while authorities have not disclosed details about his injuries.

Authorities temporarily evacuated an area within approximately one mile of the crash site due to the release of hazardous chemicals from the wreckage.

F-16 aircraft carry hydrazine, a toxic substance used in the plane's auxiliary power system, prompting precautionary measures by officials.

According to air traffic recordings, a participating pilot suggested the aircraft may have collided with a bird before crashing, though military authorities have not confirmed bird strike as the cause of the accident.