Pilot ejects as F-35 crashes at MCAS Miramar, sparking fire

An F-35 assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed Friday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, prompting an emergency response and igniting a brush fire, a base spokesperson told Fox News.

Emergency personnel responded to what the Marine Corps described as an “aircraft mishap” on the flight line at about 10 a.m. local time involving an F-35 assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, said 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck. The aircraft was based at MCAS Miramar.

The incident was a “Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar,” the U.S. Marines told Fox News. The pilot ejected and was recovered.

Starbuck told Fox News he did not immediately have information on the purpose of the flight, whether the aircraft was departing or arriving, whether it was conducting a training mission, or whether there were any injuries or fatalities. 

It is not immediately clear what led to the crash.

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Video from SkyRanger 7 showed the aircraft in two pieces amid a football-field-sized scorched area. A fire burned in a field north of State Route 52 and was visible from the freeway, prompting calls to the California Highway Patrol.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed to Fox News it was assisting with the brush fire, but said the military has jurisdiction over the incident.

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No press conference has been scheduled. Officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.