A US Air Force F-16 fighter crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany on Tuesday after an incident during a training exercise involving four aircraft.
The pilot ejected before the jet came down and was taken for medical treatment. German air traffic authorities said two F-16s had headed back towards Spangdahlem when one crashed while apparently approaching the base, while the other aircraft later landed at Ramstein Air Base.
🇺🇸✈️ US F-16 CRASHES NEAR GERMAN AIR BASE:
– A U.S. Air Force F-16 crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany Tuesday afternoon during a training flight.
– The pilot ejected and was injured, according to local and U.S. reports, and is receiving medical treatment. An… pic.twitter.com/YPXPsoNpVN
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) September 22, 2026
Footage from the area showed thick black smoke rising from the crash site as emergency crews responded. The aircraft belonged to the 52nd Fighter Wing, which operates from Spangdahlem in support of US and NATO missions. The cause of the crash has not yet been established and remains under investigation.
Footage from the crash in Germany: The U.S. Air Force confirmed that an F-16 crashed at Spangdahlem Air Base. The pilot successfully ejected and survived. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. https://t.co/Li2d5jXolO pic.twitter.com/eL5rvOIIhN
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