F-35 Crash at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Triggers Emergency Response

An F-35 jet from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Friday morning. The incident prompted an emergency response and started a brush fire, according to a base spokesperson speaking to Fox News.

Emergency crews responded to what the Marine Corps identified as an “aircraft mishap” on the flight line around 10 a.m. local time. The mishap involved an F-35 from Marine Aircraft Group 11, confirmed 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck. This aircraft was stationed at MCAS Miramar.

A representative from the U.S. Marines described the event as a “Class A mishap” involving a Marine Corps F-35B near MCAS Miramar. The pilot managed to eject safely and was recovered.

Starbuck noted that he did not have immediate details on the flight’s purpose or status, whether it was a training mission, or if there were any injuries or fatalities. The cause of the crash remains unclear.

MISSING MARINE NOW FOCUS OF RECOVERY MISSION OFF CALIFORNIA COAST

The crash led to a fire in a field north of State Route 52, visible from the freeway. Video footage showed the aircraft broken into two sections within a scorched area the size of a football field. The fire department and the California Highway Patrol responded to the fire.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed its participation in extinguishing the brush fire but stated that the military retains jurisdiction over the crash site.

No press conference has been scheduled at this time. Officials mentioned that further information will be provided as updates become available.

Brittany Miller, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and a former Independent reporter, shared this report. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2023.