A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter jet crashed on Friday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. local time during what appeared to be a routine flight operation. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, successfully ejected from the jet before it impacted the ground. Military officials confirmed that the pilot was recovered and transported to a local medical facility in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash, which the Marine Corps has officially designated as a Class A mishap, resulted in a fire on the base flightline. Class A is the military's most severe accident category, reserved for incidents involving fatalities, the total loss of an aircraft, or property damage exceeding $2.5 million. Emergency crews from the base and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department responded quickly to the scene, where they extinguished a vegetation fire that had ignited near the wreckage.
Witnesses near the base reported seeing two jets descending toward the runway. While the first aircraft landed without incident, the second jet appeared to struggle during its final approach, with observers noting it seemed to slow down as if attempting to hover before the pilot ejected. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground and was destroyed, leaving behind a charred frame and a plume of black smoke that was visible from the surrounding area.
The F-35B is a highly advanced, multi-role stealth fighter known for its unique ability to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings, similar to a helicopter. Each unit carries an estimated price tag of approximately $109 million. The Marine Corps has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, which remains under review. No further details regarding the specific mechanical or operational factors involved have been released at this time.