US F-35B Fighter Jet Crashes and Bursts Into Flames at California Military Base
A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet crashed and caught fire on Friday at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, sending a large cloud of smoke into the sky that was visible from several miles away.
The single-seat aircraft, operated by Marine Aircraft Group 11 under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, crashed shortly before 10 a.m. local time while approaching the runway.
The pilot successfully ejected from the jet before the crash and was taken to a nearby medical facility in stable condition for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to a statement from the Marine Corps.
Emergency crews at the base quickly responded to the scene, using firefighting foam to contain the burning wreckage and put out a grass fire caused by the crash.
Audio from the Miramar air traffic control tower indicated that the aircraft went down during its final approach. Firefighters were informed that the pilot’s parachute appeared to have deployed before the ejection.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, with military officials expected to begin an investigation into what led to the incident.
The F-35B Lightning II is considered one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the stealth jet is capable of conventional takeoff and landing as well as vertical landing similar to a helicopter.
The aircraft, which is more than 50 feet long, is used by the US Marine Corps, the United Kingdom and the Italian Air Force. Each jet costs approximately $102 million.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, located in San Diego, California, is home to about 15,000 military personnel from different branches of the armed forces.
