Military F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes Near Grawn

A military F-16 fighter jet crashed near Grawn Thursday afternoon during a training exercise, with the pilot ejecting before the crash. The pilot was hospitalized and an evacuation order issued for a one-mile radius around the crash site near the intersection of County Road 633 and Jeffrey Place. Munson Healthcare said some first responders and community members were exposed to a hazardous chemical called hydrazine, with Munson Medical Center becoming a local decontamination site.

The crash, which soon made national headlines and was linked to a possible bird collision, involved a pilot from the Texas Air National Guard on a training mission out of Alpena. The pilot was the lone occupant of the fighter jet and was taken to Munson, where he was consicous and speaking with law enforcement, according to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea.

Traffic was diverted around the area near Blair Townhall Road, with Blair Township Hall soon serving as a command post for the crash response. An evacuation order was issued around the crash zone. A shelter was established at Kensington Church on Secor Road, with church and American Red Cross staff available for assistance.

Most residents who were evacuated were able to return home Thursday just before 10pm, with County Road 633 reopened at that time. Some residents of the Glacier Pond subdivision were not able to drive home, but could park along the road and walk in as authorities continued to work in the area. A handful of residents who lived nearest the crash zone could not return home and were contacted by first responders directly.

Munson Healthcare issued a statement about a toxic chemical used in fighter jets that can cause severe eye, lung, and skin irritation. According to the hospital system, "some first responders and community members were exposed to a hazardous chemical called hydrazine. As a result, Munson Medical Center has become the local decontamination site, utilizing an outdoor treatment area to evaluate and decontaminate individuals.

The updated standard for those that may want to seek medical evaluation: 1) Only those who were within one mile of the crash who are SYMPTOMATIC should seek treatment. 2) Those who were within a mile and are ASYMPTOMATIC should monitor for signs at home such as coughing, wheezing or trouble breathing, and come in if signs are present. Thanks to our emergency responders and community members for coming together to care for one another during this incident."

Military personnel remained on the scene of the crash late Thursday night.