A U.S. Navy F‑35C Lightning II fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California on Wednesday evening, Navy officials confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time during a routine training flight. The aircraft, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (“Rough Raiders”), went down shortly after completing flight operations in the area.
The pilot safely ejected and was recovered without injuries, according to a Navy statement. “There are no additional affected personnel,” the statement said.
Emergency crews, including Cal Fire and local law enforcement, quickly responded to the crash site. Videos shared on social media showed thick smoke and flames rising from the wreckage. Officials reported that the fire was contained and no civilian injuries occurred.
The F‑35C is the Navy’s carrier‑capable version of the fifth‑generation stealth fighter. Strike Fighter Squadron 125 serves as the Fleet Replacement Squadron, training pilots and support crews to operate the advanced aircraft.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Navy officials have not released details about the mission or the condition of the wreckage.
This is the second F‑35 crash in 2025. Earlier this year, an F‑35A assigned to the U.S. Air Force went down in Alaska; the pilot also survived after ejecting.
NAS Lemoore, located in California’s Central Valley, is the Navy’s largest master jet base and the main hub for F‑35C operations on the West Coast.
Further updates are expected as investigators review flight data and examine the crash site.
