An F-35A Lightning II taxis onto the runway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on Feb. 4, 2026. (William R. Lewis/U.S. Air Force)
The pilot of an F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter from Nellis Air Force Base safely ejected before the jet crashed Tuesday north of the base near Las Vegas, Nev.
“Emergency responders are on scene, and there is no impact to populated areas,” the base said in a statement. “The pilot is safe and being treated for minor injuries.”
The Air Force said the incident occurred approximately 25 miles northeast of Indian Springs, Nev., near Creech AFB, within the controlled airspace and restricted federal property of the Nevada Test & Training Range at Nellis.
Nellis AFB is home to the 57th Wing, which develops advanced air combat tactics, as well as the integration of new systems and weapons on existing aircraft. Its mission includes simulated combat against aggressor aircraft flown by Air Force pilots. It has served as a major hub of development of the F-35A, the Air Force version of the stealth fighter that is also flown in other variants by the Marine Corps and Navy.
More information will be released as it becomes available, the Air Force said.
