F-35 crashes for first time in jet’s 17-year history

Pentagon has attributed an increase in aviation accidents to a mix of causes

The US military suffered its first crash of an F-35 aircraft in the 17-year history of the high-profile fighter jet programme, the same day the Pentagon announced a deal with Lockheed Martin to drive down costs for the next batch of planes to a historical low.

The crash of the Marine Corps variant of the F-35, known as the F-35B Lightning II, occurred at 11.45am on Friday outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, according to the Marine Corps.

“The US Marine pilot safely ejected from the single-seat aircraft and is currently being evaluated by medical personnel,” the Marines said in a statement. “There were no civilian injuries.”

The aircraft, which cost more than $100 million (Dh367 million), belonged to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, which trains Marine pilots.

This is the first time the military has suffered a fullblown crash of an F-35 involving the ejection of a pilot.

The Pentagon has attributed an increase in aviation accidents to a mix of causes, including years of stopgap funding from Congress.