Fighter Jet Crashes, Sparks Fire At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

SAN DIEGO, CA — A military fighter jet crashed Friday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, erupting in flames and sparking a brush fire, officials said.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 went down around 10 a.m. near Miramar Road and Mitscher Way, according base officials. The pilot ejected and was recovered.

Fox 5 San Diego reported that the pilot was taken to a medical facility.

A witness posted on social media that the aircraft appeared to fly over Interstate 15 with its cockpit open before crashing. The witness also reported seeing a parachute descending toward the ground, suggesting the pilot may have ejected before the crash.

The aircraft was assigned to 3rd Marine Air Wing, Marine Air Group 11.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.