Additional Coverage:
- Marine Corps says F-35B jet crashed in California, pilot in stable condition after ejecting (pbs.org)
Marine F-35B Fighter Jet Crashes Near San Diego; Pilot Ejects Safely
San Diego – An F-35B stealth fighter jet operated by the U.S. Marine Corps crashed Friday near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and is expected to survive, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
According to a Marine Corps statement, the pilot was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment. The incident occurred close to the well-known Miramar base, historically dubbed “Fightertown USA” and famously featured in the original “Top Gun” film.
Eyewitness Wade Lott, who was driving nearby at the time, described seeing two jets approaching the runway. While one landed safely, the second appeared to lose control, slowing dramatically as if attempting to hover. The pilot ejected at approximately 100 feet above the ground, deploying a parachute and rising to about 200 feet before the jet crashed, igniting a fire that responders quickly worked to contain.
San Diego Fire Department confirmed their crews responded to a vegetation fire near the crash site but deferred further details to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar authorities.
The F-35B variant is noted for its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities and is among the most advanced fighter jets in the U.S. military’s fleet. Currently, the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force operate over 630 F-35 aircraft, with each F-35B costing approximately $109 million. According to government reports, the total program investment has reached around $2 trillion.
The Marine Corps classified the crash as a “Class A mishap,” indicating the highest severity level due to damage exceeding $2 million, destruction of the aircraft, or risk to life. While the F-35 program has experienced relatively few accidents since its 2015 introduction, this marks the latest in a series of incidents involving these aircraft.
The F-35 jets are widely regarded by defense experts as some of the safest and most capable fighters in service. Previous crashes have seen pilots eject successfully, including a May 2024 incident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the pilot was injured after ejecting from an F-35 en route to California.
Investigations into the cause of the San Diego crash are ongoing. The Marine Corps and associated agencies continue to monitor the situation and prioritize pilot safety as recovery and assessment efforts proceed.