Additional Coverage:
- Thunderbirds pilot ejects safely as F-16C crashes during California training mission over controlled airspace (foxnews.com)
Thunderbird Pilot Ejects Safely After F-16C Crash During California Training Mission
CALIFORNIA – A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot safely ejected during a training mission over controlled airspace in California on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, according to a statement from the 57th Wing. The aviator is reported to be in stable condition following the incident, which is now under investigation.
The accident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. The Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s elite aerial demonstration team, confirmed the pilot’s stable condition and stated that further information would be released by the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office.
San Bernardino County Fire officials responded to an aircraft emergency call around 11:10 a.m. near the San Bernardino-Inyo county line. Upon arrival, crews assisted emergency personnel from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in extinguishing a fire from the downed aircraft in a dry lake bed located near Trona.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the F-16C, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for further care.
The Thunderbirds, based out of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, are renowned for their demanding precision maneuvers and fly F-16C Fighting Falcons in tightly choreographed formations. This requires extensive year-round training and numerous flight hours to maintain their exceptional performance standards.
Pilots selected for the demonstration team are drawn from operational fighter squadrons and often possess prior combat experience. They typically serve two-year tours with the Thunderbirds before returning to active fighter assignments. Their annual schedule includes dozens of air show performances across the nation, serving as a crucial component of the Air Force’s recruitment and community outreach efforts.
The Thunderbirds have experienced training mishaps in the past. Notably, a 2018 crash near Nellis Air Force Base resulted in the death of Maj.
Stephen Del Bagno during a routine training flight. Following that incident, an Air Force safety review highlighted the inherent risks associated with the high-speed, high-G nature of the team’s routines, even within controlled environments.