The only crew member was the pilot, who was able to eject and remained conscious after the crash. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
An F-35 fighter jet has crashed into a hillside in New Mexico. The jet went down near Albuquerque’s International Sunport while en route to an Air Force base in California. The pilot survived the crash but was seriously injured, officials said.
— Eagle Eye (@zarrar_11PK) May 29, 2024
The F-35 was piloted by a representative of the Defense Contract Management Agency. The aircraft was on its way from a Lockheed Martin factory to an air base for service. According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35B was flying from Fort Worth, Texas, to Edwards Air Force Base in California. However, it crashed after refueling at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. ”
The pilot ejected safely. Safety is our priority and we will follow the appropriate investigation protocol, ” – said in a statement Lockheed Martin.
The American official noted that the plane was brand new and belonged to the US Marine Corps. The fire at the scene was quickly extinguished. The F-35 is a fifth-generation multi-role fighter developed by Lockheed Martin. It is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including air combat, ground attack, reconnaissance and other special operations. The F-35B is designed for the US and UK Marine Corps, among others, and features short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.