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

An F-35 assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed Friday greeting astatine Marine Corps Air Station Miramar successful San Diego, prompting an exigency effect and igniting a brushwood fire, a basal spokesperson told Fox News.

Emergency unit responded to what the Marine Corps described arsenic an "aircraft mishap" connected the formation enactment astatine astir 10 a.m. section clip involving an F-35 assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, said 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck. The craft was based astatine MCAS Miramar.

The incidental was a "Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B successful the vicinity of MCAS Miramar," the U.S. Marines told Fox News. The aviator ejected and was recovered.

Starbuck told Fox News helium did not instantly person accusation connected the intent of the flight, whether the craft was departing oregon arriving, whether it was conducting a grooming mission, oregon whether determination were immoderate injuries oregon fatalities. 

It is not instantly wide what led to the crash.

MARINE MISSING FROM USS ANCHORAGE NOW FOCUS OF RECOVERY MISSION OFF CALIFORNIA COAST

The clang sparked a occurrence successful a tract conscionable northbound of authorities Route 52, which was disposable from the freeway. ( KSWB)

Video from SkyRanger 7 showed the craft successful 2 pieces amid a football-field-sized scorched area. A occurrence burned successful a tract northbound of State Route 52 and was disposable 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 brushwood fire, but said the subject has jurisdiction implicit the incident.

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No property league has been scheduled. Officials said further accusation volition beryllium released arsenic it becomes available.

This is simply a processing story. Please cheque backmost for updates.