Marine Corps F-35B Collides with Refueler Over California; Crews Safe
An F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter crashed Tuesday afternoon after colliding with an aerial refueler in California, according to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
The F-35B made contact with a KC-130J during an air-to-air refueling operation, resulting in the fighter jet crashing at about 4 p.m., the air station announced in a news release.
The pilot of the F-35B safely ejected from the aircraft, which went down in Imperial County, according to the release.
The Desert Sun newspaper said it crashed in Salton City near a state park, sparking fires upon impact. They were put out by local firefighters, the report said.
The aerial refueler landed safely in the vicinity of an airport in Thermal, Calif., and all crew members have been reported safe, according to the air station.
The Desert Sun report said it landed in a carrot field with eight people onboard and was leaking fuel.
The accident’s cause is under investigation.
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