F-35 Jet Crashes at Miramar Base, Pilot Ejects Safely
WHO:
CNN - The aircraft involved was an F-35B Lightning II fighter jet operated by the US Marines, the United Kingdom, and the Italian Air Force.
Fox News - The F-35 was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 11.
WHAT:
CNN - The F-35B is described as “the most advanced jet fighter in the world” by its manufacturer.
Fox News - The aircraft was involved in an "aircraft mishap" on the flight line.
AP - Aerial video showed a plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage in a dirt field, with multiple military and firefighting vehicles present.
AP - Wade Lott, a witness, stated that the jet was about 100 feet (30 m) above the ground when the pilot ejected, and the parachute deployed as they rose about 200 feet (61 m) into the air.
AP - The crash site was described as a football-field-sized scorched area.
AP - The base previously hosted the Navy fighter pilot training school depicted in the original “Top Gun” movie, known as “Fightertown USA.”
AP - The pilot was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
AP - Wade Lott, a witness, described the crash, stating, “It just blew up, it was crazy,” and noted that the jet hit the ground right next to another plane.
AP - The F-35B is one of several versions of the aircraft, with a single unit costing about $109 million.
AP - The overall F-35 program is estimated to cost roughly $2 trillion after the military buys more than 1,800 more jets and operates them for decades to come.
AP - The crash was classified as a “Class A mishap,” which is used when damage totals more than $2 million, an aircraft is destroyed, or a service member is killed.
AP - There have been at least 17 other “Class A mishaps” involving F-35 aircraft since 2000, according to Air Force Safety Center statistics.
AP - In five F-35 crashes, pilots were able to eject, though at least one sustained injuries during a crash in May 2024 near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
CNN - A fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California and erupted into flames.
Fox News - The incident was described as a "Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B."
Fox News - The pilot ejected and was recovered safely.
Fox News - The crash ignited a brush fire in a field north of State Route 52.
WHERE:
CNN - The crash occurred at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California.
Fox News - The fire was visible from State Route 52 and prompted calls to the California Highway Patrol.
WHEN:
Fox News - The crash occurred at about 10 a.m. local time.
WHY:
CNN - The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.
Fox News - It is not immediately clear what led to the crash.
HOW:
CNN - Airport fire crews sprayed the wreckage with firefighting foam and worked to extinguish a grass fire surrounding the crash site.
Fox News - Video from SkyRanger 7 showed the aircraft in two pieces amid a scorched area.
(UPDATED August 1, 2026 13:23 UTC)
The F-35B, hailed as “the most advanced jet fighter in the world” by its manufacturer, was involved in an aircraft mishap on the flight line, leading to a dramatic scene captured on aerial video showing a plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage. Witness Wade Lott reported that the jet was about 100 feet above the ground when the pilot ejected, with the parachute deploying as they ascended to around 200 feet in the air. The crash site, described as a scorched area the size of a football field, is located at a base that once hosted the Navy fighter pilot training school featured in the original “Top Gun” movie, known as “Fightertown USA.”
--
(UPDATED August 1, 2026 05:57 UTC)
A pilot involved in an F-35B crash has been transported to a local medical facility in stable condition, suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. Witness Wade Lott described the incident as chaotic, stating, “It just blew up, it was crazy,” and noted that the jet crashed near another plane. This incident has been classified as a “Class A mishap,” which indicates significant damage, and it marks one of at least 17 similar mishaps involving F-35 aircraft since 2000.
--
(UPDATED July 31, 2026 19:25 UTC)
A Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, resulting in a significant fire that was visible from State Route 52. The pilot successfully ejected and was recovered safely, while airport fire crews worked to extinguish a brush fire ignited by the crash. The cause of the incident, described as a "Class A mishap," remains unclear as investigations continue.