An F-16 fighter jet, operated by the Ohio Air National Guard, experienced an emergency while flying over Michigan, leading to the release of two fuel tanks. The incident occurred on July 31st, with one of the tanks exploding upon impact in Lake Huron and the other landing in a parking lot in Tawas, Michigan. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and only minor damage to vehicles occurred.
The jet, part of the 180th Fighter Squadron, landed safely in Toledo, Ohio. According to a statement from the Iosco County Sheriff’s Office, one of the fuel tanks landed north of Baldwin Resort Road in Lake Huron and exploded. The second tank fell into a parking lot, which includes several businesses. The U.S. Coast Guard recovered a portion of the tank from the lake.
The Ohio Air National Guard attributed the incident to a “fuel tank malfunction” during a routine training mission. They assured the public that there were no immediate safety concerns and that an investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the emergency. The affected parking lot area will remain closed until remediation efforts are completed.
This event marks another instance of in-air emergencies involving the 180th Fighter Wing, with previous incidents reported in September 2023 and March 2024. In both cases, the fuel tanks were recovered, and no injuries were reported.