Only the pilot was in the plane. He was found conscious and breathing
A fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet crashed near Albuquerque International Airport in New Mexico on Tuesday.
Only the pilot was on board at the time of the incident. According to North American Television Channel KOB4Emergency medical crews found the man conscious and breathing, and he was taken to a hospital ward.
A military plane has reportedly crashed in Albuquerque’s South Valley. Witnesses said @KOB4 The plane appeared to have problems shortly after take-off, but there is still no official word on the cause of the crash. pic.twitter.com/BNv7CrwGMF
– Trevor J. Thompson (@TrevorKOB4) May 28, 2024
The cause of the fall is still unclear. Close to the airport is the US Air Force Base Kirtland.
The most expensive fighter jet today is the F-35.
#breaking An F-35 fighter jet crashed on takeoff at Albuquerque International Airport in New Mexico. The pilot reportedly ejected. pic.twitter.com/eAFSmgWJ00
— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 28, 2024
Pilot ejected and 75 million fighter jets continued on autopilot: Happened in September
In September, an unusual incident was already recorded with a fighter of the same model and from the US Air Force. The F-35 disappeared after the pilot ejected, explaining that he had an “accident” during the flight that forced him to eject. However, the plane continued to fly on autopilot to an uncertain location, sparking a near-national search, during which the public was asked for help.
Minutes after the pilot ejected, a call to a 112 operator (911 in the US) was confusing, to say the least.
“I think we have a pilot at home and he says he’s ejected from the plane,” said the caller who was asking for an ambulance.
“I’m sorry, what happened?” asked the operator, according to a recording obtained by CNN International.
“We have a pilot at our house, I think he landed in my backyard, and we’re trying to see if we can get an ambulance, please.”
“We’re sending help,” the operator replied before the pilot picked up the phone.
“We had a fighter plane crash,” he explained. “I’m the pilot. We have to go on a rescue mission.”
He later added: “I don’t know where the plane is, it must have crashed somewhere. I was ejected.”
A missing $80 million fighter jet is found hours later, miles away, prompting a Pentagon investigation.
Immediately, the 911 operator acted on the pilot’s instructions.
“Okay, got it sir,” he commented.
The 47-year-old pilot explained that he fell more than 2,000 feet (609 meters).
“What caused the fall?”
“A plane crash.”
The 911 operator asked if he was bleeding heavily.
“I don’t know. I can’t see for myself.”
The 911 caller whined, “No, looks good… just a few scratches.”
“I feel fine. Only my back hurts,” the pilot added. “Any news of a plane crash?”
“I don’t see anything,” the operator replied.
The fighter jet’s wreckage site — about two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston — was discovered after more than 24 hours of multi-agency ground and air searches. The pilot was transported to a local medical center in stable condition.