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OtherUS Marine Corps F-35B crashes on runway at California base, pilot ejects safely
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A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet was involved in a Class A mishap near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California on Friday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. Pacific Time when the aircraft, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, experienced an unspecified mishap on the flightline. The pilot ejected and was recovered, and is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. A witness reported the plane crashed while landing. Local media showed smoke rising near the base and aerial footage of the plane on a burnt field. The mishap is the latest in a series of stateside military aviation incidents in recent months, including collisions and crashes involving Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force aircraft.
Source report
An F-35B fighter jet was involved in the military’s most severe type of aviation mishap near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California on Friday morning, according to the Marine Corps.
“We can confirm a Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of [Marine Corps Air Station] Miramar,” the Marine Corps said in a statement. “The pilot ejected and has been recovered. More information will be available as the situation develops.”
Incident Details
The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The F-35B, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, experienced an unspecified mishap on the flightline of the base. A witness told the Associated Press that the plane crashed while landing at the base.
The Marine Corps added that the pilot is in stable condition and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local medical facility.
Local media in San Diego reported smoke rising near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, with aerial footage purportedly showing the plane on a burnt field just outside the base.
Classification of Mishap
According to the military, a Class A mishap involves either a loss of life or damage to equipment greater than $2.5 million.
Recent Aviation Incidents
The mishap is the latest in a series of stateside aviation incidents in recent months:
- May: Two Navy E/A-18G Growlers collided during an airshow in Idaho; all four crew members safely ejected.
- June: A Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet from Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Mount Rainier in Washington state.
- June 15: An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people on board.
Developing Story
This is a developing story.
Update: 7/31/2026 — This article was updated with a new statement from the Marine Corps, which identified the unit the aircraft is assigned to.
Source
Task & PurposeWestern
Part of this Story
Marine Corps F-35B Crashes at Miramar Base, Pilot Safe