US Marine F-35B crashes near San Diego base, pilot ejects safely

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego on Friday, prompting a brush fire in the area. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was recovered safely, according to military officials.

The aircraft, which belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 11, went down around 10 a.m. local time. The Marine Corps described the event as an "aircraft mishap" on the flight line. First Lieutenant Blake Starbuck confirmed the incident, classifying it as a "Class A mishap."

Officials stated that the cause of the crash is under investigation by military authorities. Details regarding the flight's purpose, whether it was arriving at or departing from the base, or if it was on a training mission, were not immediately available. There were also no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities.

Video footage showed the jet broken into two pieces amidst a scorched area. Flames and smoke were visible rising from a field north of State Route 52, with the fire seen from the nearby freeway. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department assisted in containing the brush fire, though the military retained jurisdiction over the crash site and investigation.

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Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar