---
title: "Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Crashes At Air Show In Ohio"
date: "2017-06-23"
modified: "2017-06-23"
authors:
  - name: "Adam Weinstein"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/adamweinstein/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-thunderbirds-f-16-crashes-air-show-ohio/"
categories:
  - "Air Force"
  - "Aircraft"
  - "Around the World"
  - "Fighter Aircraft"
  - "Military Branches"
  - "News"
  - "Tech & Tactics"
  - "United States"
tags:
  - "Northern Command"
---

# Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Crashes At Air Show In Ohio

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/19041089-1.jpg>)

***This is developing news. Task & Purpose staff will update as more information becomes available.***

A two-seat F-16 belonging to the Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team crashed at the end of a preparation flight for the Dayton Air Show this afternoon, according to local news sources.

https://twitter.com/daytondailynews/status/878302328180285440

Eyewitnesses say the jet had just landed at Dayton International Airport and had begun taxiing when it flipped over and into the grass, according to the Dayton Daily News, [which is live-blogging the incident](<https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/thunderbird-plane-flips-its-top-dayton-air-show/9hYLy25uRDPep71YW9P2HJ/?ecmp=daytondaily_social_twitter_2014_sfp>). Local news also [broadcast the incident live on Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/whionews/videos/1609719572392934/>).

The aircraft’s two occupants were reportedly trapped in the cockpit, and first responders are at work rescuing them. Those responders include EMTs from nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a spokeswoman told the Daily News.

Ricardo Von Puttkammer, who was covering the air show for Aviation Photojournal, told the Daily News that “it appeared that a gust of wind flipped the F-16 on its top.”

Local TV reports storms were heavy near the airport during the show.

T&P; will update as we get more information.

**Update, 3:00 PM EDT, 6/23:**

The Daily News is reporting that both occupants have been able to exit the F-16's wreckage; their conditions are unknown.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds have released a preliminary statement about the mishap:

**Update, 5:00 PM EDT, 6/23:**

The Thunderbirds say their crew will be alright, but it's unclear whether the team will perform as scheduled at the air show this weekend.

https://twitter.com/AFThunderbirds/status/878351056488374273

https://twitter.com/AFThunderbirds/status/878351349242396672

The T-Birds' Navy counterparts offered some solidarity on social media: