fighter F-16C Falcon Fighter belong to Thunderbirds A US Air Force plane crashed on Wednesday in Southern California, in the Mojave Desert. The pilot He managed to make it out seconds before falling And saved his life.
According to an official statement from Nellis Air Force Base, the accident occurred around 10:45 while A.J Training mission Over controlled airspace in California.
The air squadron did not provide details about the causes of the accident, which is still under investigation. Under investigation.
According to the New York Times, based on statements by Sergeant Jovante Johnson, an Air Force spokesman, after the crash the pilot received medical care and… stable. The San Bernardino County Fire Department also indicated that his life was not in danger.
– Thunderbirds (@AFThunderbirds) December 3, 2025
Fighter plane He was going to hit a dry lake bedabout 290 kilometers north of Los Angeles. A video clip taken moments after the accident shows a column of smoke rising from a distance. The pilot was seen slowly descending in his parachute.
According to reports, the plane It fell three kilometers south of Trona Airport. However, Wednesday’s practices had nothing to do with that airport, according to what the American newspaper reported based on statements by George Bass, director of facilities.
The Thunderbirds are an American air demonstration squadron, created in 1953. Perform precise maneuvers Which showcases the capabilities of the Air Force’s high-performance aircraft to audiences around the world.
The squadron not only showcases the skills of the pilots, but also the skills of the personnel who maintain the aircraft. Its objectives include supporting employment programs, enhancing public confidence, demonstrating the professionalism of its members, and enhancing team morale and spirit.
It is an air combat command unit composed of eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, as well as four support officers, three civilians and more than 130 enlisted members.
During the performances, which last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, Pilots perform about 30 maneuvers. The exhibition season extends from March to November, and the winter months are devoted to training new squadron members.