US F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in California, Pilot Uses Ejection to Survive

JAKARTA - A US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Lemoore Naval Air Station, central California, on Wednesday, July 31.

According to a US Navy press statement quoted by CNN, the fighter pilot was declared safe after ejecting before the crash occurred at 6:30 p.m. local time.

The US Navy is investigating the accident.

Video documentation from CNN affiliate KFSN shows flames and thick black smoke billowing from the crash site in farmland near Lemoore Naval Air Station.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office stated that officers immediately responded to the scene to deal with the fire and the injured pilot.

The US Navy F-35 fighter jet was assigned to Fighter Attack Squadron VF-125, known as the "Rough Raiders," before the crash.

VF-125 is known to be a Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for training pilots and aircrews.