Crews work to put out a fire burning an F-35 fighter jet that crashed near the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Friday, July 31, 2026, in San Diego. (Luke Johnson, The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)
An F-35B Lightning II jet crashed and burned at Marine Air Station Miramar on Friday, the Marines confirmed.
The aircraft was part of the 3rd Marine Air Wing, Marine Aircraft Group 11 at the base north of San Diego, according to 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck, a spokesman for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The pilot ejected and was being taken to medical care while emergency response teams came to the crash scene, Starbuck said.
The Marines said it was a Class A mishap, which involves a fatality or equipment damage of $2 million or more.
Live broadcast footage from a helicopter operated by NBC News in San Diego showed blackened wreckage near runways at the air base, with firefighting crews starting to douse the flames. The plane’s wedge tail section was clearly visible.
The Lightning is a “fifth-generation” fighter used by the Air Force, Marines and Navy in different versions. The F-35B is designed for short takeoff and vertical landings, making it ideal for operations on ships with smaller decks.
Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II manufacturer, says on its website that as of June 25, 2026, more than 1,340 F-35s have been delivered worldwide. The U.S. Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force together have more than 630 F-35s.
The price for one F-35B is $109 million.
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