U.S. Thunderbird Pilot Survives Crash During Training Mission In Inland Empire

TRONA, CA — Military officials are investigating after a Thunderbird pilot survived after an F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed Tuesday morning outside an Inland Empire airport, according to the U.S. Air Force.

The crash occurred between 10 and 10:15 a.m., roughly two miles south of Trona Airport, just outside of the Trona town limits on a remote stretch of desert, Airport Manager George Bass told Patch shortly after the incident.

The pilot survived and was able to parachute out before the aircraft went down, Bass said. According to military officials, the pilot, who was not named, "ejected safely" and was in stable condition, receiving follow-on care.

It was not immediately clear what caused the F-16C to go down.

The incident is now under investigation and further information will be released from the 57th Wing's information office, according to the U.S. Air Force.