F-16 fighter jet crashes in California desert, pilot ejects safely VIDEO

A fighter jet from the U.S. Air Force’s elite Thunderbirds demonstration squadron crashed in the Southern California desert on December 3, but the pilot managed to eject safely, the military confirmed.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department stated that the pilot is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital, per ABC News.

The F-16C Fighting Falcon went down around 10:45 a.m. local time during a training mission over “controlled airspace in California,” Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada said.

Firefighters responded to an aircraft emergency near Trona, an unincorporated community in the Mojave Desert about 180 miles north of Los Angeles.

The Air Force said the incident is under investigation, and further updates will be provided by the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office.

The Thunderbirds are known for performing tight formations at air shows, often flying just inches apart. Over their long history, both demonstration teams have experienced dozens of crashes.

Formed in 1953, the Thunderbirds conduct seasonal training out of Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, operating F-16 Falcons, F-22 Raptors, and A-10 Warthogs.

By Khagan Isayev