US Marine F-35B crashes near San Diego base, pilot ejects safely
San Diego, August 1
A US Marine Corps F-35 fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Friday, triggering a brush fire in the vicinity, according to US military officials, while the pilot safely ejected and was recovered.
The aircraft, assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 11, went down at about 10 am local time in what the Marine Corps described as an "aircraft mishap" on the flight line, Fox News reported, citing officials.
First Lieutenant Blake Starbuck told Fox News that the incident was a "Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar".
Lieutenant Starbuck confirmed that the aviator had ejected from the aircraft and was safely recovered following the crash.
Officials said the cause of the crash remains under investigation by military authorities.
Starbuck said he did not immediately have details on the purpose of the flight, including whether the aircraft was arriving at or departing from the airbase, or whether it had been conducting a training mission.
He also said there was no immediate information on injuries or fatalities related to the incident.
Video footage captured by SkyRanger 7 showed the aircraft split into two sections in the middle of a scorched area roughly the size of a football field.
Flames and thick smoke were seen rising from a field north of State Route 52, with the fire visible from the nearby freeway.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department told Fox News it was assisting efforts to contain the brush fire.
However, it said the military retained jurisdiction over the crash site and the investigation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's concerning to see another military crash, but the fact that the pilot walked away is a testament to the engineering and training. The brush fire is also a reminder of how quickly things can escalate. Hope they get it under control soon.
The F-35B is a marvel of technology, but it's had a rocky history. Every crash is a learning opportunity, and I'm glad no lives were lost. The brush fire is worrying though—California is already dealing with so many wildfires. Let's hope the military and fire crews contain it quickly.
As someone who follows defence news, I can say these incidents are rare but serious. The US Marines will do a thorough investigation, and I'm sure they'll share findings with allies too. Glad the pilot is safe. 🙏
This is a stark reminder that even the most advanced military tech can fail. The pilot's safe ejection is the best outcome here. I just hope the fire doesn't spread further—California doesn't need another wildfire right now.
It's a relief the pilot is safe, but I'm curious about the cause. Was it a mechanical failure or pilot error? It's also a bit worrying that the aircraft broke into two sections—that's a massive structural failure. Hope they share the investigation results with the public.
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