A United States Navy F-35C fighter jet crashed Wednesday evening near Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in central California, according to an official statement released by Navy authorities. The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time on the operational side of the installation. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and is confirmed to be safe. No other personnel were affected.
The downed aircraft was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-125, known as the “Rough Raiders.” The squadron serves as a Fleet Replacement Squadron tasked with training pilots and aircrew for carrier-based missions utilizing the F-35C variant.
The F-35C is one of three models within the F-35 Lightning II family, which includes the F-35A used by the U.S. Air Force and the F-35B operated by the Marine Corps. Designed for launch and recovery aboard aircraft carriers, the jet carries an estimated price tag of approximately $100 million.
This marks the second crash involving an F-35 aircraft reported this year. In January, an Air Force F-35A went down during a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The pilot, who also ejected safely, had experienced an in-flight malfunction.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 series represents the fifth generation of combat aircraft and is considered among the most sophisticated in the world. Despite its technological advancements—including stealth capabilities and combat versatility—the program has faced continued scrutiny over maintenance demands and readiness issues. More than 17 countries participate in the global F-35 initiative.
Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the crash.