Emergency crews respond to possible F-35 crash near San Diego
Emergency crews near San Diego are responding to a possible crash and “aircraft mishap” involving an F-35.
Fox – 5 Atlanta
A fighter jet crashed at a Marine Corps air station near San Diego on July 31, multiple news outlets reported.
Videos from local television stations show plumes of smoke emanating from what appears to be a crashed fighter jet at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Marine officials identified the jet as a F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, regional stations KGTV and KUSI reported. Authorities said the pilot ejected from the jet and has been recovered.
In a statement to multiple news outlets, the base described the incident as a “Class A mishap,” which is defined by the U.S. Marines as an accident involving a fatality, permanent total disability, destruction of an aircraft, or damage totaling $2 million or more.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
The F-35 is considered the most advanced fighter jet in the world. The Pentagon purchased jets in three styles: F-35A for the Air Force, F-35B for the Marines and F-35C for the Navy. The F-35B can take off and land vertically, similar to how a helicopter takes off and lands.
This a developing story.