A Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier crashed south of Phoenix on Friday afternoon, but the pilot ejected safely, a Marine spokesman said.

The jet, part of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., left Yuma about 1:30 p.m. Friday and crashed around 2:30 p.m. in an unpopulated area south of Phoenix, Gunnery Sgt. Donald Bohanner said.

The pilot ejected from the plane and was taken to the hospital, Bohanner said.

Authorities will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

UPDATE: @MCASMiramarCA confirms Harrier plane that crashed in AZ is from #MCAS#Yuma. http://t.co/UNsONl9DE0pic.twitter.com/LqKbl34fWQ