US loses F-35B jet in unexplained ‘mishap’ (VIDEOS)

The $109 million stealth fighter crashed in California, with its pilot ejecting before impact A US Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter crashed and caught fire at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, on Friday, apparently resulting in the total loss of the costly aircraft, according to footage from the scene.Emergency crews responded at around 10am local time to what the military described as a “Class A mishap,” its category for the most serious accidents. The aircraft was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.“The pilot ejected, was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries,” the Marine Corps said in a follow-up statement, adding that the crash occurred on the base’s flightline.JUST IN: An F-35 caught fire after a mishap at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Friday morning. Emergency crews responded to heavy smoke around 10 a.m. Cause under investigation. - FOX 5 pic.twitter.com/oDthXqbQRf— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 31, 2026Footage from the scene showed a thick column of black smoke rising above the base. Aerial video showed the ...