Pilot ejects before F-35 fighter jet crashes in San Diego
A Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, prompting an emergency response and sparking a brush
A Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, prompting an emergency response and sparking a brush fire. The pilot safely ejected and was taken to a hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. "The pilot ejected, was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries," the Marine Corps said in an updated statement.
Aerial video from a news helicopter showed a plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage in a dirt field, with multiple military and firefighting vehicles and people standing nearby. What appeared to be white flame retardant covered the ground, and at least one person was spraying the wreckage with a fire hose. LiveNOW's Anna Marsick spoke about the "mishap" with former fighter pilot Dave Berke. MORE INFO 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. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar used to host the Navy fighter pilot training school depicted in the original "Top Gun" movie, and was known as "Fightertown USA" in its heyday. The school was relocated to Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada in 1996 after the base was transferred to the Marine Corps.
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