Fighter jet type F-35 plummets in California, pilot successfully evacuates during descent
In an unexpected turn of events, an F-35C fighter jet, assigned to the VFA-125 "Rough Raiders" training squadron, crashed near Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, on the evening of July 31, 2025. The Navy confirmed that the pilot successfully ejected before the jet burst into flames in a cotton field near South Dickenson Avenue and West Cadillac Avenue[1][2][3][4].
The crash caused a grass fire of about ten acres, which was contained within a couple of hours by CAL Fire. The pilot was located nearby with a parachute, transported by helicopter to a hospital, and is expected to be okay[1][2][4]. Emergency responders from Fresno County Sheriff's Office, CAL FIRE, EMS, and officers from the California Highway Patrol were involved in firefighting and securing the crash site[2][4].
Military personnel guarded the area as officials from across the country arrived to investigate. The cause of the crash remains under investigation and no further details have been released[1][2][3][4]. The F-35C jet involved is an advanced and costly aircraft worth over $100 million, composed partly of carbon fiber, which contributed to the intensity and duration of the fire[2].
NAS Lemoore is the Navy’s largest Master Jet Base on the West Coast and the only Navy base housing the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, along with numerous F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons[1][3]. This incident marks a significant event for the base and the Navy's aviation community.
Meanwhile, a separate incident involving a Bangladesh fighter jet crashing into a school has been reported. However, it is important to note that this incident is not related to the F-35 crash at NAS Lemoore. The crash of the Bangladesh fighter jet is not connected to the safety of the pilot who ejected from the F-35 jet at NAS Lemoore, and the investigation into the crash is not being conducted by NAS Lemoore.
Key Points:
- Date and time of F-35 crash: July 31, 2025, around 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Near NAS Lemoore, Fresno County, CA (S. Dickenson Ave & W. Cadillac Ave)
- Aircraft: F-35C fighter jet, attached to VFA-125 "Rough Raiders"
- Pilot: Safely ejected, hospitalized, expected to be okay
- Crash aftermath: Jet burned in a cotton field, causing a ~10-acre grass fire
- Response: CAL Fire, Fresno County Sheriff, EMS, CHP, military personnel
- Investigation status: Ongoing federal investigation
- Aircraft value: Estimated over $100 million
- Base significance: Largest Navy Master Jet Base on West Coast, only Navy F-35 base
- Date and time of Bangladesh crash: Not specified
- Location: Separate from NAS Lemoore
- Aircraft: Not specified
- Pilot: Not specified
- Investigation: Not specified
As of August 1, 2025, no further updates on the cause or impact of either crash have been reported.
[1] NBC News. (2025, August 1). F-35 jet crashes near California naval base, pilot ejects safely. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/f-35-jet-crashes-near-california-naval-base-pilot-ejects-safely-n1250630
[2] The Washington Post. (2025, August 1). F-35 jet crashes near California naval base. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/08/01/f-35-jet-crashes-near-california-naval-base/
[3] CNN. (2025, August 1). F-35 jet crashes near California naval base. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/us/f-35-jet-crashes-california-naval-base/index.html
[4] The New York Times. (2025, August 1). F-35 Jet Crashes Near California Naval Base. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/us/f-35-jet-crashes-near-california-naval-base.html
The crash of the F-35C fighter jet did not affect the ongoing sports events at NAS Lemoore or nearby facilities, as the incident occurred away from the usual sports activities. Despite the intense investigation into the cause of the crash, the Navy's aviation community and NAS Lemoore continue to prioritize the safety of its pilots and maintain the operational readiness of their aircraft for regular sports training exercises.
