US Navy F-35 jet crashes in California, pilot ejects safely

ISTANBUL

A US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed Wednesday in central California near Naval Air Station Lemoore, the Navy said in a statement.

"The pilot successfully ejected and is safe. There are no additional affected personnel," NAS Lemoore said in the statement.

💢 US Air Force pilot reportedly crashed near Naval Air Station in Fresno, California

🚨 The pilot successfully ejected from the F-35 jet, and later he was airlifted to the hospital

The cause of the crash remains under investigation https://t.co/BzfxZlNGPm pic.twitter.com/cwkVSIAIUi

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) July 31, 2025

The incident occurred around 6.30 pm 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.