Germany F-16 Crash: Pilot Ejects at Spangdahlem Base

SPANGDAHLEM, Germany: A U.S. Air Force F-16 crashed while returning to Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany on September 22, with the pilot ejecting and receiving medical treatment. The German F-16 crash occurred at around 2:30 pm local time. No injuries were reported on the ground, while the cause remains under investigation. Germany's air traffic control authority said four F-16s had taken part in a training exercise. Two remained in the training area while two others headed back towards Spangdahlem. An American F-16 fighter jet crashed near a U.S. air base in western Germany on Tuesday, according to military officials. The pilot "ejected safely" and is receiving medical care, U.S. Air Base Spangdahlem said in a statement. https://t.co/3yvepfBNWD — ABC News (@ABC) September 22, 2026 One of the returning aircraft crashed while approaching the base, according to the account. The remaining jets were diverted to Ramstein Air Base. Spangdahlem is home to the U.S. Air Force's 52nd Fighter Wing and an F-16 squadron of around 20 aircraft supporting U.S. and NATO operations. The crash occurred five days after a Texas Air National Guard F-16 went down during a training mission in Michigan on September 17. That pilot also ejected safely. There is no indication that the two incidents are connected.