At approximately 1:52 p.m. Thursday, residents of Green Lake Township heard ‘several explosions’ and saw smoke billowing as a military plane crashed near the intersection of County Road 633 and Jeffrey Place.
Emergency responders including the FBI shut down traffic in the area and ordered everyone within a mile-radius of the crash site to evacuate after the Michigan State Police reported a hazardous chemical spill at 4:30 p.m.
Munson Health Center says some people who were within a mile of the crash might have been exposed to a hazardous chemical — called hydrazine — that requires medical treatment.
Those who were within one mile of the crash and experiencing symptoms should go to the hospital, which is the designated local decontamination site.
Those who are not experiencing symptoms but within a mile should monitor for symptoms at home, and seek medical treatment at the hospital if symptoms develop.
According to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea, the pilot was able to self-eject. There were no other occupants, nor was Shea aware of injuries to residents or damages to buildings on the ground.
“He was transported to Munson Medical Center, where he was conscious and speaking with law enforcement,” Shea told reporters.
Michigan State Police reported in a post to X that the pilot was in stable condition at 4:05 p.m. at the hospital. The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs confirmed the plane was an F-16 fighter jet from Texas.
Grawn resident Matthew Gonzalez was able to see the crash from his house. He said he heard several explosions and saw the plane had crashed in the wetlands, narrowly missing a house.
“You could see all the smoke coming up, and I drove down toward it,” Gonzalez said. “It took out his mailbox and his basketball hoop, but I mean, the hand of God was there as divine providence because … it didn't seem to hit any houses.”
According to Shea, Michigan State Police will be responding to the incident from now on and providing all further updates. They are asking all individuals to avoid the area until further notice.
Residents will be allowed to return to their homes when the evacuation order lifts.
In the meantime, according to the Grand Traverse County Emergency Management’s Facebook, a shelter was established at Kensington Church for those evacuated, with the American Red Cross available.
This story was last updated at 7:23 a.m. on Sept. 18.
