US military can’t find F-35 fighter jet that vanished when pilot ejected
We’ve all lost a pair of sunglasses or our car keys at some point – but imagine losing an entire plane.
That’s exactly what’s happened in the US military after an $80 million (£65 million) fighter jet went missing.
The F-35 vanished yesterday afternoon while the pilot was flying over South Carolina.
He was able to eject and parachute to safety, and he’s now in a stable condition in hospital.
Military officials have described the incident as a ‘mishap’ and say they’re focusing their search around two lakes north of the city of Charleston.
The Marine Corps said its knowledge of the incident is ‘limited’ as it continues to try and gather information.
A second F-35 jet, thought to be flying at the same time, returned safely to base.
Joint Base Charleston appealed for the public’s help on social media, saying: ‘Emergency response teams are still trying to locate the F-35.
‘The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as the effort continues.’
F-35 jets are made by Lockheed Martin and they’re one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets.
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