Il pilota si espelle mentre l'F-35 si schianta sul MCAS Miramar, scatenando un incendio

An F-35 fighter jet crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Friday, sparking a small fire. The pilot ejected and was recovered, according to a Marine Corps spokesperson. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. Pacific Time, and emergency crews responded to the scene. Aerial footage captured the burning aircraft in an open field, with responders using fire retardant to extinguish the flames. The crash is classified as a "Class A mishap," the most severe category of military incidents. The crash took place at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, located approximately 10 miles north of San Diego. The base is home to over 15,000 Marines, sailors, and civilians and serves as the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is used by the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Each jet costs about $100 million. The crash site was in a field just north of State Route 52, where a brush fire was visible from the freeway. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department assisted with the fire, though the military maintains jurisdiction over the incident. The crash marks another incident involving the F-35, a plane that has drawn attention due to its high cost and occasional safety concerns. In 2023, a Marine Corps pilot died after ejecting from an F/A-18 Hornet near the base. That pilot, Maj. Andrew Mettler, was found hours later following a search by the U.S. Coast Guard and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. In July 2025, a pilot ejected from an F-35 in Fresno County after a crash that caused a small grass fire, but the pilot was safely recovered. In January 2025, an Air Force pilot experienced an "in-flight emergency" while flying an F-35 at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The video showed the plane spinning toward the ground before exploding upon impact. The pilot ejected safely. In 2024, a Marine Corps pilot ejected from an F-35 after encountering technical malfunctions during a heavy rainstorm. The plane continued to fly autonomously for over 11 minutes, covering about 70 miles, before crashing into private land. The pilot landed safely in a driveway and called 911. The crash site was discovered the next day. An investigation concluded that the pilot had acted improperly by ejecting. These incidents highlight the challenges associated with operating advanced fighter jets under varying conditions. Officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the latest crash. A Marine Corps spokesperson stated that more information would be released once available. The pilot was the only person onboard, and while it is unclear whether the pilot sustained injuries, the ejection was successful. Emergency personnel, including firefighters and law enforcement, were on the scene working to contain the fire and assess the situation. The military has not scheduled a press conference, and further details remain pending. The crash at MCAS Miramar adds to a growing list of aviation incidents involving the F-35. While the aircraft is designed for advanced combat scenarios, its operational history includes several notable accidents. As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances leading to the crash and ensuring the safety of pilots and personnel. The incident underscores the complexities of maintaining and operating cutting-edge military technology in real-world conditions.