California: In a dramatic mid-air emergency, a U.S. Navy F‑35C Lightning II stealth fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California on Wednesday evening. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely before the aircraft was engulfed in flames.
The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time, sending plumes of thick black smoke rising over a rural field not far from the base. Emergency responders from multiple agencies rushed to the site, where firefighters had to bulldoze through dry farmland to access the wreckage.
The pilot, who was part of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA‑125 “Rough Raiders”, was taken to a nearby medical facility and is expected to make a full recovery. No injuries or damage were reported on the ground.
The $100 million fifth-generation fighter jet was on a routine training mission when the mishap occurred. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with officials withholding specific details about the flight conditions or mechanical issues.
This marks the second major crash involving an F‑35 jet in the U.S. this year, renewing questions around the aircraft’s reliability. Earlier in January, an F‑35A crashed in Alaska, also without fatalities. However, the growing list of global incidents—including crashes in South Carolina, Japan, the Mediterranean, and previous carrier deck mishaps—continues to shadow the Pentagon’s most advanced air platform.
Despite being central to U.S. air dominance, the F‑35 program has long faced scrutiny over skyrocketing costs, complex maintenance, and intermittent technical glitches. More than 1,100 F‑35s have been delivered worldwide, with Lockheed Martin continuing production for allied forces across Europe and Asia.
As of now, the Navy has grounded similar aircraft at NAS Lemoore pending preliminary review, though training operations are expected to resume once safety protocols are reassessed.
