The US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed in western Germany on Tuesday belonged to the 52nd Fighter Wing and came down at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, base officials have confirmed.

While initial reports suggested the jet crashed at Spangdahlem Air Base itself, authorities have since clarified that the aircraft came down in the surrounding area, near the B50 road between the base and the village of Binsfeld.

A base spokesperson said the pilot ejected safely and is currently receiving medical care. German aviation authorities confirmed the fighter had been participating in a four-aircraft training exercise and was attempting to land when the crash occurred.

According to Germany's air traffic control authority, two of the F-16s were still in the training area while two were returning to base. One crashed on approach, while the remaining three aircraft diverted and landed safely at Ramstein Air Base.

Fire and emergency response teams from the Eifel district of Bitburg-Prüm were dispatched to the scene, while residents in neighbouring Binsfeld reported hearing sirens and seeing thick plumes of black smoke near a local golf course.

Birthe Thomsen, mayor of nearby Speicher, told regional broadcaster SWR that she was cycling between Beilingen and Speicher when she saw the aircraft descending rapidly before smoke rose, prompting her to alert emergency services.

Spangdahlem Air Base serves as the home station for an operational squadron of roughly 20 F-16s supporting US and Nato operations. The base accommodates around 5,000 military and civilian personnel alongside their families, and employs between 700 and 800 local German workers.

The incident follows a previous crash in October 2019 involving another Spangdahlem-based F-16, where the pilot also ejected safely and survived with minor injuries.

An official military investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. I'll continue following this one — check back for updates.