An F-35 fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, causing a small fire. The incident occurred on Friday, and the pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft. A spokesperson for the Marine Corps reported that the pilot was recovered and transported to a medical facility. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Aerial photographs showed the downed aircraft in an open field within the base. Various emergency vehicles and responders were visible at the crash site. Images displayed the aircraft hatch open, and footage from CBS affiliate KFMB-TV’s helicopter captured responders extinguishing the fire.
The Marine Corps issued a statement identifying the pilot as part of Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The identity of the pilot remains undisclosed.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is located approximately 10 miles north of San Diego. It houses over 15,000 Marines, sailors, and civilians and serves as the headquarters for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
This incident is not an isolated case; past events include a fatal crash in 2023 when a Marine Corps pilot, identified as Maj. Andrew Mettler, ejected from an F/A-18 Hornet near the same base. The aircraft crashed on government property, and recovery efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed his unfortunate death.
F-35 aircraft are widely used by the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, with each jet costing around $100 million. Recent occurrences of F-35 crashes include a 2025 incident in California’s Fresno County. In that case, a pilot ejected during a crash that ignited a small grass fire, but the pilot remained unharmed.
Additional incidents in 2025 and 2024 involved F-35 crashes during training missions and under adverse weather conditions. These instances underline ongoing concerns regarding the safety of these high-value military assets.