Dan Filer, a retired pilot for the US Navy, survived a MiG-23 fighter jet crash during an airshow performance in Michigan, find out more about him below as his video goes viral
The fighter jet crashed after performing several intricate maneuvers during an aerial performance at a show in Michigan.
Who is pilot Dan Filer as MiG-23 fighter jet plane crash during air show performance in Michigan video goes viral on Twitter
Absolutely wild footage from underneath the MiG-23UB (N23UB) as the pilots eject, you can hear the pyrotechnics of the ejection seats blasting during the #thunderovermichigan Airshow. This aircraft was delivered to Czechoslovakian Air Force in June, 1981 pic.twitter.com/zWsZNY3Di8
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) August 13, 2023
Holy crap!😳😳😳#Thunderovermichigan pic.twitter.com/tkOrTJnbwq
— PublicAwakening (@JGaddisOfficial) August 14, 2023
Dan was reportedly flying a MiG-23, which is a third-generation Soviet jet fighter that ran in production from 1967-1985.
Retired US Navy pilot survives MiG-23 fighter jet crash
The entire incident took place at the Thunder Over Michigan air show, which took place at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti on Sunday, August 14. The air show was a part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Thunder Over Michigan event, which began on Saturday, August 12. Following the crash, the organizers stopped the show and requested spectators to vacate the area.
The crash reportedly occurred close to the I-94 Service Road and Beck Road in Michigan, near the Waverly on the Lake Apartments. During the crash, the aircraft collided with unoccupied vehicles parked inside the apartment complex’s parking lot. Witnesses stated that they saw one of the pilots used an ejection seat over the Belleville Lake. Meanwhile, an official representative from the air show confirmed that both pilots safely ejected just moments before the crash. Officials located both pilots and transported them to a local hospital, and are currently expecting a full recovery.
Dan Filer brief bio
Dan Filer is a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander and one of the pilots involved in the MiG-23 fighter jet crash. According to reports, Dan Filer is a compassionate man with a deep passion for aviation. Filer was originally born in upstate New York and grew up on a farm in an old Colonial brick house. He came from a humble family background and he was the youngest of four siblings. Filer first got introduced to flight after he joined one of his father’s friends on a maiden voyage on a small propeller plane. When he was just fifteen years old. Ever since then, he grew a love for aviation and planes and decided to join the Navy and fly planes.
Profession and career
According to reports, Dan Filer currently owns and runs an Aircraft Company in East Texas He previously served in the Navy for 18 years and was even involved in piloting attack aircrafts. He embarked on a total of 47 combat attack missions during the first Gulf War.
Photographer Scott Belanger captures MiG-23 fighter jet crash
A photographer by the name of Scott Belanger captured the exact moment of the MiG-23 fighter jet crash. Scott captured the plane when it caught fire while still in the air. As of now, there are currently no confirmed details about the crash including additional injuries and fatalities.
Following the crash, the air show organizers shared a Facebook update stating:
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a situation that requires us to stop the show”
They further added:
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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the crash at the moment.