USMC F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes Into New Mexico Hillside

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft crashed near Albuquerque International Sunport, New Mexico, this 28th of May.

The F-35B departed from Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing plant earlier in Texas and was on its way to Edwards Air Force Base in California via a fuel stopover at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Reports confirm the aircraft crashed shortly after it took off from Kirtland in STOVL mode.

Fortunately, the pilot was conscious and breathing when found. He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, while two other civilians on the scene were evaluated but were not taken to the hospital.

According to its manufacturer, the F-35B was a test jet equipped with Technology Refresh 2 (TR-2) and was transferring to Edwards AFB for additional test equipment modification.

The FAA is still investigating the crash.