The wreckage of an $80 million F-35B fifth-generation fighter jet that flew away while on autopilot after the pilot ejected has been found in the US
It took the US military 24 hours to find the wreckage of a lost fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighter jet. The US Marine Corps plane had flown away while on autopilot the day before.
Here's What We Know
The incident occurred in South Carolina with the fighter jet, whose home was Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The pilot ejected and landed using a parachute while the F-35B in autopilot mode took an unknown route.
Personnel from Joint Base Charleston and @MCASBeaufortSC, in close coordination with local authorities, have located a debris field in Williamsburg County. The debris was discovered two hours northeast of JB Charleston.
- Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) September 18, 2023
After unsuccessful search attempts, U.S. officials began asking for help from the public. Due to the lack of reports of the crash, it was believed that the $80 million fighter jet went down in a deserted area.
On the second day, the wreckage of the aircraft was found in South Carolina. The F-35B Lightning II crashed two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston in Williamsburg County. Local authorities and civilians participated in the search.
It is still unknown what caused the pilot of the F-35B Lightning II to eject. It is only reported that the problem caused the transponder on the U.S. Marine Corps fighter jet to malfunction.
Source: @TeamCharleston
