Military pilot missing after F-16 fighter jet crashes in Upper Peninsula

F-16 crashes in Northern Michigan
A stock photo of an F-16 Falcon in the sky. Photo credit Getty Images - FILE

A search is ongoing for the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed Tuesday night in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The F-16 fighter jet was assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing at Truaz Field Air National Guard Base in Madison when it crashed at about 8 p.m. in the Hiawatha National Forest, along the Delta County-Schoolcraft County line, according to military officials.

There was one pilot on board.

“At the time of the incident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission,” the Wisconsin Air National Guard said in a statement on its Facebook page. “Emergency responders are on scene. The cause of the crash, as well as the status of the pilot, are unknown at this time, and the incident is under investigation.”

U.S. Forest Service workers worked together with local emergency responders, the U.S. Coast Guard and other government agencies as the search got underway overnight, with more crews joining to effort on Wednesday.

“Search and rescue efforts on the ground, in the air, and in the water continue,” Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing said, in morning update.

Meanwhile, many questions remain.

Officials say the cause of the crash and the condition of the pilot are still unknown. His or her name has not been released.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images - FILE