An F-35 crashed near Albuquerque International. According to the first reports, the pilot successfully ejected.
An F-35 Lightning II aircraft has crashed near Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), New Mexico, on May 28, 2024. Images showing the explosion the emergency team trying to extinguish the fire at the crash site have started circulating online.
I just witnessed a major, horrific aircraft crash with an explosion and dust rising into the air while I’m on my flight on the runway. I will report on it soon, waiting for more details but the person behind me said it was possible it was a helicopter or some type of single… pic.twitter.com/NA8pQVdV6W
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 28, 2024
#BREAKING A F-35 fighter jet just crashed during takeoff at Albuquerque International, New Mexico.
Pilot reportedly ejected. pic.twitter.com/eAFSmgWJ00
— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 28, 2024
According to KOB4, the pilot would be conscious and breathing and has been taken to the hospital.
The F-35 had just taken off from Runway 21 at ABQ.
F-35 mishap at Albuquerque? Audio via @liveatc https://t.co/8E9eu1HHhn pic.twitter.com/wnYAHt4OwR
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) May 28, 2024
Although it’s too early to say, by the look of the wreckage, it looks like the type was an F-35B (to be confirmed).
Previous crashes
The most recent crash of a U.S. F-35 occurred on Sept. 17, 2023, when a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B crashed in South Carolina after the pilot ejected due to a malfunction. The aircraft continued flying for about 60 miles before crashing in a field near Indiantown, South Carolina. The incident led to a day-long search for the wreckage, which was eventually found in a field.
More from The Aviationist
Previously, on Dec. 15, 2022, an F-35B crashed during a vertical landing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas. The F-35B involved in that crash was Lockheed-owned (hence not yet delivered to/accepted by the final customer).
This is developing story, we will update it as soon as new details emerge.
Update May 29, 2024 05.00 GMT
The F-35B had departed from Lockheed Martin’s Manufacturing Plant in Fort Worth, Texas and was heading to Edwards Air Force Base in California via a fuel stopover at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. It crashed shortly after take off from Kirtland AFB.
According the Lockheed Martin, the F-35 which Crashed earlier today near Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico was actually a F-35B Variant instead of what was previously believed to be an “A” Variant, meaning this Aircraft was likely meant for the U.S. Marine Corps not…
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 28, 2024
According to some unverified accounts circulating online, on departure, the F-35B was offered by the ATC a rapid climb to 20,000 feet, but the pilot responded that he promised to do a short take off for some guys on the ramp. Indeed, the images of the crash show the F-35B taking off in STOVL mode.
Posted to Facebook. pic.twitter.com/E46rVG1p7y
— Steven Fortson (@zaphod58) May 29, 2024
