On Friday, an F-35 fighter jet crashed close to a Marine Corps base in San Diego, igniting a minor fire. The Marine Corps reported that the pilot successfully ejected and was transported to a medical facility. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
An aerial photo captured the smoking wreckage on open land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Another image depicted emergency responders at the site. Responders used fire retardant to control the blaze, as shown in video footage from CBS affiliate KFMB-TV’s helicopter.
The Marine Corps has not yet identified the pilot, who was part of Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Miramar Air Station, located about 10 miles north of San Diego, is home to over 15,000 personnel, serving as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquarters.
“Footage displays a plume of dark smoke rising from the site as firefighters work.”
In 2023, a fatal incident occurred when another Marine Corps pilot died after ejecting from an F/A-18 Hornet at the same base. The aircraft crashed on government property, and the deceased pilot, identified as Maj. Andrew Mettler, was discovered after an extensive search effort.
F-35 jets, each costing approximately $100 million, are used by various branches of the U.S. military and have been involved in several accidents recently. In July 2025, a pilot ejected safely after a crash in Fresno County, California. A similar incident occurred in Alaska in 2025, where the aircraft experienced an in-flight emergency and exploded upon impact, but the pilot ejected safely.
Another F-35 accident in 2024 involved technical malfunctions during a rainstorm. The pilot ejected, and the plane flew unmanned for over 11 minutes, eventually crashing on private land. An investigation revealed that the pilot’s decision to eject was improper.
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