Posted on 07/31/2026 11:57:34 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
A fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Friday morning, sparking a small fire on the military base.
The F-35B assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Group 11 went down around 10 a.m. in what Marine Corps spokesperson Capt. Steven Keenan called a "Class A mishap."
The pilot, the only person aboard, ejected from the plane and was recovered, Keenan said. It was not clear if the individual was injured.
Footage from SkyRanger 7 showed a plane in at least two pieces amid a football-field-sized patch of scorched earth, which fire crews doused in streams of water.
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, which was several feet away from an airport runway.
The F-35B is the Marines' short-takeoff aircraft; it can take off and land vertically, which is particularly useful for use on aircraft carriers. It is primarily used for anti-air warfare, reconnaissance and offensive air support, according to the Marines.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcsandiego.com ...
One pilot on board, he safely ejected, but not sure if he was injured
The F-35B assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Group 11 went down around 10 a.m. in what Marine Corps spokesperson Capt. Steven Keenan called a “Class A mishap.” That’s a good way to put it Marine.
“which is particularly useful for use on aircraft carriers.”
Carriers have catapults. Marines want to launch from assault ships and rough airfields.
I missed this one by a few minutes but did have to get around the traffic jam.
1978
A USN Grumman F-14A Tomcat, BuNo 158995, ‘NK 106’, of VF-1, crashes and catapults across scrub grass to come to rest against a concrete highway divider on CA-163, the Cabrillo Freeway, on approach to NAS Miramar, San Diego, California, exploding in flames. Both crew members eject seconds before impact; one fatality, no civilian deaths.°
The explosive force accompanying an ejection from a fighter in distress is very great indeed. Some friends have experiences of this from so long ago, and all have back complaints to this day.
We always were excited when the Marines flew out for carrier quals.
That statement can be taken in more ways than one, especially in the Navy.
The word used in the press release was that the pilot was "Recovered". In the SAR world can mean deceased. I certainly hope not, prayers up.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/pilot-ejects-f-35-crashes-mcas-miramar-sparking-fire
He’s in stable condition thank God
Most wonderful news...Thanks.
That pilot saved life and property in a big way. He could have punched out right away, but he knew the people in the neighborhood would die if he did.
Imagine looking out the living room window and seeing a Warthog blazing down the street and throwing parked cars on everyone's lawn??!!!
Yeah that would be something.
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