A US Navy F-35C fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in central California on Wednesday evening. The pilot successfully ejected and is safe, according to an official Navy statement.

The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time during a training flight. The aircraft belonged to Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-125, known as the “Rough Raiders,” which serves as a Fleet Replacement Squadron for training Navy pilots and aircrew.

“NAS Lemoore can confirm an aviation incident on the Operations side of the installation. We can confirm the pilot successfully ejected and is safe. There are no additional affected personnel,” said the Navy’s official statement.

The aircraft involved was an F-35C, the carrier-based variant of the advanced F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, built by Lockheed Martin. The F-35C is specifically designed for catapult launches and arrested landings on aircraft carriers, making it a critical asset for naval aviation.

This marks the second F-35 crash in 2025. In January, a US Air Force F-35A crashed during a training exercise in Alaska. The pilot in that case also ejected safely after experiencing an inflight malfunction.

The F-35 program, involving three variants (A, B, and C), is one of the Pentagon’s most expensive and technologically advanced aircraft initiatives. Despite its superior stealth and combat capabilities, the program has faced criticism over high maintenance costs and readiness challenges.

Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has partnered with over 17 countries in the F-35 program. Investigators are now working to determine the cause of Wednesday’s crash.