An F-35B Lighting II jet belonging to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, has crashed on Sunday September 18, 2023.
The pilot parachuted safely into North Charleston at about 2pm and was taken to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition. The pilot’s name has not 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.”
Senior Master Sgt. Heather Stanton, Joint Base Charleston
Both lakes are north of North Charleston. There are no reports of property damage either, so the jet may be at the bottom of the lake.
Military officials appealed in online posts Sunday for any help from the public in locating the aircraft.
Officials are still investigating why the pilot ejected, authorities said.
