In a significant development, authorities have discovered a debris field from a missing Marine Corps F-35 fighter jet that crashed in South Carolina, with the pilot successfully ejecting to safety. The debris field was located in rural Williamsburg County, approximately two hours northeast of Marine Corps’ Joint Base Charleston.
The search for the missing aircraft had been underway since the pilot parachuted to safety in a North Charleston neighborhood. The pilot was promptly transported to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, according to Marines Maj. Melanie Salinas.
The extensive search efforts focused on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, based on the last known location and trajectory of the missing F-35. A South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter joined the search once adverse weather conditions in the area cleared up. Additionally, U.S. military officials made appeals for public assistance in locating the aircraft.
This incident has prompted the Marine Corps to enact a temporary pause in its operations for two days. General Eric Smith, the acting commandant of the Marine Corps, stated that during this stand-down period, safe flying policies, practices, and procedures would be reinforced.
This incident marks the third documented “Class-A mishap” in the past six weeks, as announced by the Marine Corps. A “Class-A mishap” refers to incidents where damages reach $2.5 million or more, a Department of Defense aircraft is destroyed, or there are fatalities or permanent disabilities.
In August, three U.S. Marines lost their lives in the crash of a V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a training exercise in Australia. Furthermore, a Marine Corps pilot was tragically killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a routine training flight.
The frequency of these incidents has raised concerns about safety and operational procedures within the Marine Corps and is likely to trigger a thorough review of aviation practices and safety measures to prevent future mishaps.
As investigations into the F-35 crash progress, the Marine Corps and relevant authorities will work to determine the causes and contributing factors behind the accident, aiming to enhance the safety and effectiveness of military operations.
Sources By Agencies
