US Navy F-35 Crashes in California; Pilot Ejects Safely
A US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California on Wednesday evening. The pilot ejected safely, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Kokcha News Agency: A US Navy F-35C fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California around 6:30 pm on Wednesday. The pilot ejected safely and was assisted by local EMS crews and Cal Fire responders at the scene. The crash site, located in flat farmland approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Fresno, was shown in video footage from CNN affiliate KFSN, depicting thick black smoke and fire rising from the wreckage.
The aircraft, valued at around $100 million, was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, known as the “Rough Raiders,” a Fleet Replacement Squadron responsible for training pilots and aircrew. The F-35C is one of three variants of the F-35 Lightning II, specifically designed for use on US aircraft carriers. The US Air Force operates the F-35A, while the Marine Corps flies the F-35B, a short takeoff, vertical landing jet.
This marks the second F-35 crash this year. In January, an Air Force F-35A crashed during a training mission at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The pilot in that incident also ejected safely.
The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is one of the most advanced warplanes in the world and a cornerstone of the US military’s fleet. However, the program has faced increased scrutiny over maintenance and readiness issues.
A January 2025 report from the Defense Department’s Director, Operational Test and Evaluation revealed that all variants of the F-35 fail to meet requirements for reliability, maintainability, and availability. The report stated, “The operational suitability of the F-35 fleet continues to fall short of Service expectations.”
According to the World Air Forces database on FlightGlobal.com, the US Air Force has 246 F-35s, the Marine Corps has 122, and the Navy has 41. Globally, more than 17 countries are part of the F-35 program.
An online database from F-16.net documents 20 F-35 accidents and mishaps between 2014 and 2024, highlighting ongoing concerns about the aircraft’s performance and safety.
