The Pilot Is A Member Of The Air Force’s Demonstration Squadron, The Thunderbirds
Pilots who fly with the United States Air Force’s Thunderbirds, which is an elite demonstration squadron, are highly experienced.
Flying as a squadron of six, the Thunderbirds not only serve as a valuable recruiting tool for the Air Force, but they also demonstrate the power and “gracefulness” of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Air Force touts.
However, with that power can come great risk.
In the morning of Wednesday, December 3, a Thunderbird pilot narrowly avoided being caught up in a crash.
Watch The Pilot Escape The Crash
According to Nellis Air Force Base, located in Nevada, at approximately 10:45 a.m. over controlled airspace in Trona, California, “a Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from a F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission.”
In video from the incident, a plume of fire and smoke from the crashed F-16 can be seen as the pilot drifts to the ground with the help of a parachute.
The news release noted that the pilot is in stable condition and was receiving additional care.
Presently, the incident is under investigation, with more information expected to be released by the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office.
See the explosion from the crash, as well as the pilot’s descent to safety, here (video includes foul language):
The news release was also shared by the Thunderbirds, which can be seen here:
— Thunderbirds (@AFThunderbirds) December 3, 2025