F-16 fighter jet crashes at US air base in western Germany

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the United States Air Force's 52nd Fighter Wing crashed at Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany at about 14:30 local time on 22 September 2026. The pilot ejected safely and was receiving medical treatment, while emergency personnel secured the crash site. German air traffic control said four F-16s had been participating in a training exercise, with the accident occurring as two aircraft returned to Spangdahlem and the other aircraft subsequently landing at Ramstein Air Base. The cause remains under investigation, and authorities released no initial finding.