An F-35B fighter aircraft crashed Friday morning in the flightline area of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, a base spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pilot ejected, (and) was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening injuries,\u201d the base added in a statement.<\/p>\n
The crash occurred around 10 a.m., near the base\u2019s main hangars, west of Kearny Villa Road.<\/p>\n
Emergency crews could be seen dousing the jet more than an hour after the crash, and they had to deal with a small fire that started behind the aircraft. The jet was part of Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.<\/p>\n
The cause of the accident is under investigation.<\/p>\n
MCAS Miramar is one of the largest F-35B bases in the country. The jets, which cost more than $130 million to build and outfit for battle, are widely used by aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.<\/p>\n
Accidents involving Miramar aircraft are not uncommon. One of the most serious incidents happened in 2023 when a pilot was killed<\/a> during a routine training flight. In 2018, four Marines were killed<\/a> in a helicopter crash in Imperial County during a training mission.<\/p>\n