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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 130 sources · 3 days · First seen 3 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

US Marine F-35B crash at Miramar

Entities: F-35B Lightning II · Marine Corps Air Station Miramar · F‑35B Lightning II · First Lieutenant Blake Starbuck · United States Marine Corps

Overview

On 31 July 2026, at roughly 10 a.m. local time, a U.S. Marine Corps F‑35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, crashed near the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego. The impact destroyed the jet and ignited a brush fire that was quickly contained by the San Diego Fire‑Rescue Department using foam and water.

First Lieutenant Blake Starbuck ejected moments before impact, was recovered by emergency crews and taken to a local medical facility where he received treatment for non‑life‑threatening injuries. The mishap was classified as a Class A incident, the most serious category for military aviation accidents, and prompted a formal Pentagon inquiry.

The aircraft’s estimated value is about $109 million, adding to scrutiny of the F‑35 program, which faces a string of recent accidents and a projected lifetime cost exceeding $2 trillion. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 40 SOURCES] The crash occurred near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on July 31 2026. (belongs)
[● 39 SOURCES] The incident was classified as a Class A mishap. (belongs)
[● 39 SOURCES] Firefighters responded to the vegetation fire sparked by the crash. (belongs)
[● 38 SOURCES] The pilot ejected, was recovered, and was taken to a medical facility in stable condition. (belongs)
[● 37 SOURCES] No immediate cause for the crash was identified. (belongs)
[● 36 SOURCES] The aircraft was an F‑35B assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. (belongs)
[● 25 SOURCES] The crash occurred around 10 a.m. local time on Friday. (US Marine Corps)
[● 23 SOURCES] A single F‑35B fighter jet costs about $109 million. (belongs)
[● 20 SOURCES] The overall F‑35 program is projected to cost roughly $2 trillion over its lifetime. (belongs)

Timeline

1 day ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 20 sources
US Marine Corps F-35B crashes at Miramar, pilot ejects safely
A US Marine Corps F‑35B crashed near MCAS Miramar on July 31, 2026; the pilot ejected safely, the jet was destroyed, a brush fire was contained, and the mishap was classified as Class A pending investigation.
3 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 111 sources
US Marine Corps F-35B Jet Crashes Near San Diego, Pilot Ejects Safely
A US Marine Corps F‑35B crashed near MCAS Miramar on July 31, pilot ejected safely, classified as a Class A mishap; cause unknown, fire responded.

Sources

100percentfedup.com · 2001online.com · 24sata.hr · abc17news.com · antiguatribune.com · arbresh.info · artsquest.org · asiesnuestravida.com.ar · aztecajalisco.com · aztecapuebla.com · balkanweb.com · bangordailynews.com · baocalitoday.com · barbadosgazette.com · bigportal.ba · br.sputniknews.com · brandonsun.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cdispatch.com · chalkbeat.org · cremation.com · cyproperty.com · dailycaller.com · dailypilot.com · danas.rs · defence-industry.eu · empr.media · en.etemaaddaily.com · enavabharat.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · english.publictv.in · enikos.gr · ensegundos.com.pa · entrelineas.com.mx · europe.actualno.com · excelsior.com.mx · face.ba · fakti.bg · fakty.interia.pl · flash.gr · Foxnews.com · foxnews.com · gazeta.mk · gazetedamga.com.tr · gooddaysacramento.com · haber.aero · haber3.com · hencse.hu

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history