A Marine Corps F-35 assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing went down Friday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, triggering an emergency response and a brush fire, a base spokesperson told Fox News.
First responders were called around 10 a.m. local time to what the Marine Corps characterized as an “aircraft mishap” on the flight line, according to 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck. The jet was an F-35 assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 and based at MCAS Miramar.
The U.S. Marines told Fox News the incident was a “Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar.” The pilot ejected from the aircraft and was recovered.
Starbuck said details were not immediately available about the purpose of the flight, including whether the aircraft was taking off or landing, whether it was part of a training mission, or whether the crash caused any injuries or fatalities.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
The crash ignited a fire in a field north of State Route 52, where smoke and flames could be seen from the freeway. (KSWB)
SkyRanger 7 video showed the wrecked aircraft split into two sections inside a scorched area roughly the size of a football field. The fire burned in a field north of State Route 52 and was visible to passing drivers, leading to calls to the California Highway Patrol.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed to Fox News that it was helping respond to the brush fire, while noting that the military retains jurisdiction over the incident.
No press conference has been scheduled. Officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
