Marine Corps F-35B crashes at Miramar, pilot ejects safely

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Friday, July 31, 2026. The pilot ejected safely and was transported to a local medical facility with non-life-threatening injuries, according to military officials.

The incident, described by the Marine Corps as a "Class A mishap," occurred around 10 a.m. local time. The pilot was the only person aboard the aircraft. Officials said the individual was in stable condition following the ejection.

The crash ignited a brush fire in the vicinity of the airfield. Emergency crews from the base and the San Diego Fire Department responded to contain the vegetation fire and secure the scene. Aerial footage showed a scorched area of earth around the wreckage, with firefighting foam and water deployed on the site. The fire was brought under control quickly, though a column of black smoke was visible from a distance immediately after the crash.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft was departing, arriving, or conducting a training mission at the time. The F-35B involved was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, part of...