An F-35 fighter jet crashed near the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. Pacific time.
The pilot successfully ejected from the F-35B Lightning II jet and has been recovered by officials. The pilot is en route to a medical facility, though their specific condition was not immediately disclosed.
Emergency responders were on the scene as black smoke billowed from the crash site. The cause of the Class A mishap is currently under investigation.
Miramar Air Base is historically known as the original setting for the iconic "Top Gun" flight school. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin, described as a cornerstone of U.S. air power. It features advanced radar-evading capabilities and a top speed of Mach 1.6, or approximately 1,200 mph.