An As-Yet-Unidentified (Officially) Solo Pilot Survives Ejection with Moderate Injuries

A Thunderbird pilot, ID'ed alternately as Thunderbird 5 or Thunderbird 6, but not yet confirmed officially) ejected form his/her Lockheed Martin F-16CM-52-CF Fighting Falcon Wednesday (12-03-25) during a training mission in California. The accident occurred near Trona Airport on an unoccupied dry lake bed area south of the airport in San Bernardino County. 

The pilot ejected safely just before the airframe impacted the ground. 

The Air Force has said little, only posting the following to social media... "On December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Thunderbird pilot ejected safely from a F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission over controlled airspace in California. The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care. The incident is under investigation and further information will be released from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office."

According to other official statements, the pilot was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition with non–life-threatening injuries. The jet impacted in the aforementioned dry lake bed and was destroyed. Local fire crews responded to extinguish the resulting fire. A HAZMAT team has also been called in to deal with fuels and materials on the aircraft (probably the hydrazine used in F-16 emergency power/seat-ejection systems), and environmental-response teams also being utilized to handle cleanup and mitigate contamination risk. 

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, although we expect to have numerous Internet experts popping up in the next few minute to pronounce a Probable Cause before any significant facts are available.  

We will bring you more info once it becomes available. 

FMI: https://www.airforce.com/thunderbirds/overview