An F-35 jet from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Friday morning. The incident prompted an emergency response and caused a brush fire, according to a base spokesperson.
Emergency personnel addressed what the Marine Corps described as an “aircraft mishap” on the flight line at around 10 a.m. local time. The mishap involved an F-35 jet assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, stated 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck. The aircraft was stationed at MCAS Miramar.
The U.S. Marines reported the incident as a “Class A mishap” involving a Marine Corps F-35B near MCAS Miramar. The pilot ejected safely and was retrieved. Starbuck noted that details regarding the flight’s purpose, its departure or arrival status, and whether it was a training mission remain unavailable. Information on injuries or fatalities is not yet known. The crash’s cause is currently unclear.
The crash led to a fire in a field just north of State Route 52, visible from the freeway. Video from SkyRanger 7 showed the aircraft split into two pieces in an area the size of a football field, scorched by fire. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed involvement in managing the brush fire, although the military retains jurisdiction over the incident.
No press conference is scheduled. Officials will release further details as they become available.
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