F-35 Fighter Crashes at U.S. Marine Corps Base

A fifth-generation F-35B fighter crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.

The accident occurred on Friday, July 31. The pilot ejected before the aircraft went down. He was taken to a local medical facility for evaluation and treatment. According to the U.S. Marine Corps, the pilot is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

The U.S. military has classified the incident as a Class A mishap. This category includes the most serious incidents that result in the destruction of a military aircraft, significant property damage, death, or serious injury to personnel.

A fire broke out at the site after the fighter crashed. Footage from the scene shows black smoke rising from the wreckage, fire trucks, and military personnel. Firefighters used firefighting foam to extinguish the blaze.

The F-35B is a variant of the American stealth fighter designed for short takeoff and vertical landing. These aircraft are operated by the U.S. Marine Corps. The cost of one fighter is estimated at approximately $109 million.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. No information about injuries on the ground had been received at the time of publication.

Based on material from: Associated Press