A F-35 fighter jet of the U.S. Navy crashed in central California on Wednesday near the Naval Air Station Lemoore, the Navy said in a statement, with the pilot ejecting safely.
"The pilot successfully ejected and is safe. There are no additional affected personnel," NAS Lemoore said in the statement.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time near the intersection of Dickinson and Cadillac avenues, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
The F-35C aircraft belonged to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, known as the "Rough Raiders." VF-125 functions as a Fleet Replacement Squadron responsible for training pilots and aircrew.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
