F-35 Fighter Jet Crash in San Diego Near Marine Corps Base

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On Friday, an F-35 fighter jet crashed near a Marine Corps base in San Diego, resulting in a small fire. A spokesperson from the Marine Corps confirmed that the pilot successfully ejected and was transported to a medical facility. The cause of the crash remains unclear.

Aerial photos depict the aftermath with the smoking aircraft grounded in an open field at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Another image highlights numerous vehicles and first responders at the scene, with the jet’s hatch appearing open.

Footage captured by CBS affiliate KFMB-TV’s helicopter showed responders extinguishing the fire. The CBS News Confirmed team validated social media footage showing black smoke rising from the aircraft as responders applied fire retardant.

The pilot, yet to be identified, was part of Marine Aircraft Group 11 from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The event unfolded near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, roughly 10 miles north of San Diego. The base hosts more than 15,000 military personnel and civilians and serves as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s headquarters.

This incident follows a fatal event in 2023 when a pilot succumbed after ejecting from an F/A-18 Hornet near the base. That aircraft crashed on government land, and following an extended search, the lifeless pilot was found, later identified as Maj. Andrew Mettler.

The F-35 jets, utilized by the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, come with a price tag of approximately $100 million each. Notably, they’ve been involved in other high-profile accidents recently. In July 2025, another pilot ejected safely from his fighter jet in Fresno County, California, after it ignited a minor grass fire.

Earlier in 2025, an Air Force pilot encountered an “in-flight emergency” with an F-35 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during a training exercise. Video reviewed by CBS News showed the aircraft spiraling towards the ground and exploding on impact. In this case, the pilot landed safely.

In 2024, a Marine Corps pilot faced technical issues in an F-35 amidst a severe rainstorm, ejecting and leaving the jet flying alone for over 11 minutes before it crashed 70 miles away. Remarkably, the pilot landed in a driveway and alerted emergency services. Later investigations found the pilot’s ejection unjustified.