According to reports by The Associated Press and CNN, a single-seat F-35B fighter jet belonging to the 11th Air Wing of the 3rd Air Force of the U.S. Marine Corps crashed shortly before 10:00 local time on July 31.
CNN screenshot
On July 31 local time, the U.S. Marine Corps stated in a statement that an American F-35B stealth fighter jet crashed near the Miramar Air Station in San Diego, California on that day. The pilot was sent to a local medical facility after ejecting from the aircraft. His condition is stable, and he is undergoing evaluation and treatment for injuries that are considered 'non-life-threatening'.
News helicopter footage showed black smoke coming from the debris on the ground, with several military and fire vehicles and personnel nearby. The ground appeared to be covered with white flame retardant, and at least one person was spraying water onto the debris using a fire hose.
According to an analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 2024, the F-35B engine is designed for short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, with a single unit costing approximately $109 million.
The United States Marine Corps described the incident as an “A-class accident” in its statement. This is the most severe classification of accidents, applicable to situations where the loss amounts exceed $2 million, military aircraft are damaged, or active-duty soldiers die.
According to data from the U.S. Air Force Safety Center, at least 17 'Grade A accidents' involving F-35 aircraft have occurred since 2000, solely within the Air Force.
American think tank the Lexington Institute stated that the F-35 is considered the safest and most capable fighter jet in the U.S. military's current inventory.
Since the F-35 was put into service in 2015, compared to other fighter jets at the beginning of its service, there have been fewer accidents involving various models of the F-35. Moreover, fatal accidents are relatively rare among the F-35s.
It is reported that Miramar Airport was the training facility for naval fighter pilots depicted in the original movie ‘Top Gun’. During its heyday, it was known as ‘The City of American Fighters’.
Data from the Aviation Safety Network of the Flight Safety Foundation shows that there were at least seven other military aircraft accidents in the United States this year.
