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A fighter jet crashed Friday morning at a Marine Corps base in San Diego, sparking a fire and sending a column of black smoke into the air.
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Firefighters quickly responded to the scene, and the pilot was reported safe after the incident, a base spokesperson said. Details of the crash were not immediately clear.
“We can confirm a Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar,” the spokesperson told ABC affiliate KGTV in San Diego. “The pilot ejected and has been recovered. More information will be made available shortly.”
Class A mishaps are the most severe category, usually involving the loss of an aircraft or more than $2.5 million in damage.
Read more Marine Corps F-35 fighter crashes at San Diego’s Miramar station; pilot ejected safely
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is a major Marine Corps air base and is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. F-35 aircraft have operated from the base for several years.
The F-35B is a fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin. It is designed to take off from short runways and land vertically, allowing the Marine Corps to operate the aircraft from ships as well as military bases.
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