A MiG-23 fighter plane, designed in the Soviet era, crashed near a residential area in Michigan during the Thunder Over Michigan air show on Sunday. The pilots managed to eject from the aircraft moments before the crash, as captured in video footage. The crash occurred close to an apartment complex near Belleville Road, off I-94, around 4:30 p.m., according to local authorities.
The pilots were found in good health in a nearby lake, and no casualties were reported at the crash site. The video footage showed the aircrew ejecting from the plane as it began to emit smoke. The footage also captured a brief burst of fire from the aircraft.
The crash led to the premature end of the Thunder Over Michigan show, which was in its 25th year. The event organizers announced the cancellation of the show on their Facebook page, urging attendees to calmly exit the airfield.
The crash site was near an apartment complex off I-94, but no casualties were reported in the vicinity. The cause of the crash is currently unknown and under investigation. Attempts to reach a spokesperson for Thunder Over Michigan and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for further information have so far been unsuccessful.