FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An F-35C “Rough Raiders” jet crashed into a California field Wednesday night.
The Naval Air Station Lemoore says the pilot successfully ejected and is safe after the crash.
Deputies responded to a plane crash near a Fresno County field on Cadillac and Dickenson avenues at around 6:40 p.m. The Naval Air Station Lemoore confirmed the F-35C attached to the VFA-125 Rough Raiders jet went down not far from NAS Lemoore.
NAS Lemoore reports no additional personnel were affected.
The crash ignited a fire, which was 5 acres and 100% contained as of 9 p.m., according to Cal Fire. The fire was put out just before 11 p.m.
Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes, who oversees District 4, said the crash happened on his cottonfield. He says this is not the first time an aircraft has crashed into his land – there was a deadly F-18 crash almost two decades ago.
However, Mendes is not concerned.
“This is a minor deal. They lost a 60-something-million-dollar plane. This is just a scratch for them if they have to do anything to compensate me,” he said.
Cal Fire and the Lemoore Naval Station responded to the scene.
This is a federal investigation. No further information on the incident has been officially released.
