Fighter jet crashes near Trona Airport in San Bernardino, reports claim it is USAF Thunderbird F16; first details out

Unconfirmed social media reports claimed it was an F-16C Fighting Falcon from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Kelvin Cheng, a photojournalist based out of South California, wrote on X “F16 Thunderbird 5 photographed with its last takeoff before it crashed in Trona, CA. Insane to see six of them take off from Nellis and only five returned. I’ll try to post the images later of the Thunderbird’s last takeoff. This is just a picture of the screen from my camera.”

ABC 7 Eyewitness News also reported that it may have involved an an F-16 fighter aircraft. San Bernardino County Fire Department told the publication that the pilot is with them and suffered minor injuries.

Visuals of plane crash

Visuals of the crash were widely shared on social media. A massive ball of black smoke and flames were seen in the distance.

“Reports of an F-16C Fighting Falcon from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds crashed near Trona Airport, south of Death Valley, California. The pilot reportedly ejected safely, suffered minor injuries, and was taken to a Ridgecrest hospital,” a profile on X claimed.

A scanner page added, “The downed aircraft was *POSSIBLY* a USAF Thunderbird F16 but I cannot confirm at this time. A photo circulating on SoCal media is believed to be the crash and a good Parachute.”

Another person shared, “I’m onsite at the Thunderbird crash. Will update with more info later. There was an ejection and the pilot is being transported to the hospital right now.”

A video of the crash was also shared. A person can be heard shouting as the plane goes down.

The clip does show a parachute deploy, indicating the pilot got out.