A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, California, during what officials described as a routine flight operation. The pilot safely ejected moments before impact and escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the U.S. Marine Corps, the single-seat F-35B went down at around 10 a.m. local time while approaching the runway at MCAS Miramar. The aircraft crashed just short of the runway, triggering a small vegetation fire that was quickly contained by emergency crews. No civilian casualties or damage to nearby property were reported.
The pilot was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition after ejecting at low altitude. Military officials have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which has been classified as a Class A aviation mishap—the most serious category involving the destruction of an aircraft or major damage.
The F-35B Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is one of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. Designed for the U.S. Marine Corps, it features short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from amphibious assault ships and short runways. Each aircraft costs approximately $109 million and is equipped with advanced stealth technology, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare systems.
The incident marks the latest in a series of F-35 accidents that have prompted renewed scrutiny of the aircraft’s operational safety, although the platform continues to be regarded as one of the most capable multirole fighters in service worldwide.