Video : F-35 Fighter Jet Worth $135 Million Crashes In New Mexico, Pilot Hospitalised
A pilot was seriously injured after ejecting from an F-35 fighter jet, which crashed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, On Tuesday, CBS News quoted two officials of the US Department of Defence as saying that the aircraft was a developmental model of the $135 million jet, which was en route to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, more than 1,100 kilometres away from Albuquerque.
Local outlet KOB4 said the crash took place around 1.50pm (local time) after refuelling at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Lieutenant Jason Fejer, a spokesperson for Albuquerque Fire Rescue, said in a social media video that multiple agencies responded to the crash.
Videos posted on social media show the scorched wreckage of the plane burning in a field by the side of a road and firefighters trying to douse the blaze. They successfully controlled the fire, said Mr Fejer.
????????An American F-35 fighter jet has just crashed during takeoff at Albuquerque International, New Mexico. The pilot has reportedly ejected
Oops pic.twitter.com/K25zLH0m29
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) May 28, 2024
“Grateful for the rapid action of the first responders who arrived to the scene. Praying for the pilot,” Albuquerque’s Mayor Tim Keller said on social media.
The fighter jet went down near International Sunport in Albuquerque.
The pilot was conscious and rushed to University of New Mexico Hospital, as per CBS News.
