F-35 Fighter Jet Crash at Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego Triggers Emergency Response
An F-35B Lightning II fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on July 31, 2026. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was transported to a medical facility in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash, described as a 'mishap' by 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck, a spokesperson for the air base, led to a significant emergency response. Videos from local television stations showed smoke emanating from the crash site as emergency responders arrived. This incident is the latest in a series of crashes involving F-35 jets, which are considered the most advanced warplanes in the world. The F-35 program, managed by Lockheed Martin, is the most expensive weapons system in the U.S. military arsenal, with the Pentagon projected to spend $1.7 trillion on nearly 2,500 F-35s.