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F-35B pilot ejects safely and jet crashes near San Diego base
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- An F-35B stealth fighter jet crashed near Miramar air base in San Diego, but the pilot ejected safely and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
- The crash caused a fire in nearby vegetation, which firefighters responded to, and the wreckage showed signs of fire retardant application.
- The Marine Corps classified the incident as a "Class A mishap," indicating severe damage exceeding $2 million or destruction of the aircraft.
- The F-35B, known for its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, costs about $109 million per jet, with the overall F-35 program expected to cost around $2 trillion.
- Despite this crash, F-35s are considered among the safest and most capable fighter jets, with relatively few accidents since their introduction in 2015.
