A crash involving an F-35 just after 10 a.m. Friday on MCAS Miramar caused a fire on base.
SAN DIEGO — A military fighter jet crashed in an open area at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Friday morning, sending large plumes of black smoke into the air and sparking a brush fire.
An MCAS Miramar official confirmed that the crash involved an F-35B fighter jet and the pilot was able to eject from the jet and was taken to a medical facility. The crash happened at around 10:00 a.m.
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A statement from the U.S. Marines called the incident a “Class A mishap.” That’s the most severe category, used when damage totals more than $2 million, the aircraft is destroyed or a service member has died.
Aerial video from Chopper 8 showed a plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage in a dirt field, with multiple military and firefighting vehicles assisting.
An individual who was working on the base told CBS 8 that he saw two fighter jets doing training exercises on Friday morning. He saw the first jet land safely, but the second F-35 seemed to encounter problems during its descent. The witness said he saw the jet’s tail dip too far, causing it to skid on the runway, leading the pilot to eject.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet that is flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. The “B” version has an engine that is designed for short takeoffs and is capable of vertical landings.
AP contributed to this story.
