A US Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet was involved in an aviation mishap on Wednesday, crashing near the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 am (1700 GMT), according to a statement from a base spokesman.
Military officials confirmed that the pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft before the crash and was subsequently recovered. The pilot was then transported to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, and is currently reported to be in stable condition.
Footage shared on social media captured a plume of smoke rising from the site of the crash, as emergency crews and firefighters were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the flames. The aircraft involved, an F-35B, is a specialized variant of the stealth fighter capable of vertical takeoff and landing, with a reported unit cost of approximately $109 million according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
MCAS Miramar holds historical significance in aviation culture, notably serving as the former location of the US Navy's "Top Gun" school for elite pilots, which gained international fame through the 1986 film of the same name.
