California, Dec 04 (V7N) – An F-16C fighter jet belonging to the US Air Force’s elite Thunderbirds demonstration squadron crashed in the Mojave Desert on Wednesday. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and survived.

The incident occurred during a training demonstration flight, officials said. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The injured pilot was rescued and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

According to Air Force sources, the Thunderbird squadron was performing a formation training exercise at the time of the mishap.

Notably, this is not the first fighter jet crash in the region. In 2022, an F-18 crashed in the same area, resulting in the pilot’s death.

An investigation into Wednesday’s F-16C crash is underway.

END/SMA/AJ