(WWJ) – The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what caused a fighter jet to crash during Sunday's Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.
There are no reported injuries after the MiG-23 demonstration plane at the annual air show near Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti crashed near an apartment complex Sunday afternoon.
The Wayne County Airport Authority says the plane crashed into the parking lot at the Waverly on the Lake Apartments in Belleville. No one at the complex was injured.
Video posted to social media shows the pilot, who according to the Thunder Over Michigan website is named Dan Filer, and another flyer onboard the plane ejecting just seconds before it exploded.
A cause of the crash was not clear and is under investigation by the FAA.
"While it did not appear (the pilots) sustained any significant injuries, first responders transported the pair to a nearby hospital as a precaution," the statement from the airport authority said."
The aircraft struck unoccupied vehicles in the apartment complex’s parking lot, officials said.
Photos from a WWJ listener show the wreckage near an apartment building.
Social media posts show the pilots ejecting from the plane and parachuted down.
Video posted on social media by Marsha Bogardus shows the jet going down and pilots ejecting just before the explosion. Another video shows the aftermath, with black smoke rising in the distance.
Air Show officials on Facebook said the show had to be stopped and spectators were told to leave the area.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a situation that requires us to stop the show," they said in a post. "Please make your way into your vehicles and calmly make your way out of the airfield. Please be patient as we control traffic around the area. Please email any photos to ashley.myers@yankeeairmuseum.org"
Authorities were asking people to avoid the area.
WWJ Traffic reporter Jim Hughes said traffic was "completely backed up" near Michigan Avenue, I-275, I-94, Rawsonville Road and Beck following the incident. All areas were near a standstill shortly after the crash as spectators evacuated the area around the airport.