In TV and movies, a fighter pilot ejecting from their jet comes across as a cut-and-dry procedure. Although it occurs in only a few seconds, ejecting is a complex and violent process that relies on a lot of luck. Even for fighter pilots who successfully eject, around 20% to 30% of them suffer some sort of spinal fracture. We spoke with Air Force veteran Lt. Col. Pete Smith, one of the few fighter pilots who has actually had to eject, to learn what really happens. | Insider Tech

A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed near the Trona airport in southern California on Wednesday, the military confirmed. The pilot safely ejected and is in stable condition. US Air Force Sgt Jovante Johnson said the aircraft was an F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the Air Force Thunderbirds, the service's aerial demonstration squadron based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The jet went down at about 10:45 local time on Wednesday during a training mission. The cause of the crash is under i