Conflict & Security
US F-16 crashes in western Germany; pilot ejects safely
September 23, 2026 at 02:57 AM
Coverage
3 reports · 2 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 8 hours
A US F-16 fighter jet assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany has crashed, with its pilot ejecting safely.
- The US military said an F-16 assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base crashed on Tuesday while returning from a routine training flight.
- The pilot ejected safely and was receiving medical treatment, the military said.
- The US military has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash.
- Germany's air traffic control said two F-16s were returning to Spangdahlem when one crashed on approach; the remaining jets landed at Ramstein Air Base.