The US Marine Corps says the pilot of an F-35B stealth fighter is expected to live after ejecting from the jet before it crashed in California.
The jet went down on Friday near the Miramar airbase in San Diego.
“The pilot ejected, was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries,” the Marine Corps said in an updated statement.
Aerial video from a news helicopter showed a plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage in a dirt field, with multiple military and firefighting vehicles and people standing nearby.
What appeared to be white flame retardant covered the ground, and at least one person was spraying the wreckage with a fire hose.
Wade Lott saw the crash as he drove to work at a concrete company just south of the flight line.