Ethermac-Military searching for F-35 fighter jet after "mishap" prompts pilot to eject over North Charleston, S.C.

2025-05-06 17:58:46source:HAI Communitycategory:Contact

North Charleston,Ethermac S.C. — A Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from a fighter jet after a "mishap" over North Charleston Sunday afternoon and the search for his missing aircraft was focused on two lakes, military officials said.

Military officials appealed in online posts Sunday for any help from the public in locating the aircraft, including oneon X, formerly known as Twitter:

We’re working with @MCASBeaufortSC to locate an F-35 that was involved in a mishap this afternoon. The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600.

— Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) September 17, 2023

The pilot ejected and parachuted safely into a North Charleston neighborhood at about 2 p.m. He was taken to a local hospital and was in stable condition, said Maj. Melanie Salinas. His name hasn't been released.

Based on the missing plane's location and trajectory, the search for the F-35 Lightning II jet was focused on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, said Senior Master Sgt. Heather Stanton at Joint Base Charleston. Both lakes are north of North Charleston.

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II performs a demonstration flight at the Paris Air Show, in Le Bourget, east of Paris, on June 20, 2017. Michel Euler / AP

A South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter joined the search for the F-35 after some bad weather cleared in the area, Stanton said.

Officials are still investigating why the pilot ejected, authorities said.

The pilot of a second F-35 returned safely to Joint Base Charleston, Salinas said.

The planes and pilots were with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 based in Beaufort, not far from South Carolina's Atlantic coast.

F-35s, built by Lockheed Martin, cost around $80 million each, according to Agence France-Presse.  

More:Contact

Recommend

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, a day a

House Ethics Committee reviewing sexual misconduct, obstruction allegations against Matt Gaetz

Washington — The House Ethics Committee revealed in an unusual statement on Tuesday the status of it

How many points did Caitlin Clark score tonight? Top pick has double-double in Fever win

Caitlin Clark recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday, helping the Indiana