F-35B fighter jet worth $109 million crashes in Southern California
A stealth fighter crashed in an open area near the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, sparking a fire. The pilot ejected safely and was transported for medical treatment. The Marine Corps has classified the incident as a "Class A mishap," the most severe category of aviation accidents.
An F-35B fighter jet crashed on Friday near the US Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California. The pilot ejected from the aircraft prior to the crash and was transported for medical treatment.
The incident occurred in the afternoon near the San Diego base. In a statement, the Marine Corps classified the event as a "Class A mishap"—the most serious category of accidents, reserved for incidents involving damage exceeding two million dollars, the destruction of a military aircraft, or the loss of life. No further details regarding the pilot's condition were provided.
Footage from a news helicopter shows a column of black smoke rising from the wreckage in an open field, surrounded by military vehicles, fire trucks, and personnel. Candice Hadley, a spokesperson for San Diego Fire-Rescue, confirmed that fire crews were dispatched to the scene to contain a brush fire that ignited near the crash site.
The F-35B is a variant of the advanced F-35 stealth fighter, specifically designed with an engine capable of short take-offs and vertical landings. The cost of an F-35B fighter jet is approximately $109 million.
