31 Jul 20263:31 reconstruction2K views

F-35B Crashed Short of Miramar Runway After Pilot Ejected

Timeline

31 July 2026, before 10 a.m. — A Marine Corps F-35B approached MCAS Miramar.

Short final — The aircraft went down short of the runway.

Immediately before impact — The pilot ejected.

After impact — The wreckage burned and a grass fire developed.

Emergency response — Base and airport fire crews extinguished the fire.

After the crash — The pilot was transported for evaluation; the cause remained under investigation.

The approach ended before the runway

On 31 July 2026, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II crashed short of the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. The single-seat aircraft was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Contemporary reporting placed the crash shortly before 10 a.m. local time.

The pilot ejected

The pilot ejected before impact and was taken to a local medical facility for evaluation. Public reporting described the injuries as non-life-threatening, and the Marine Corps later said the pilot was expected to make a full recovery. The aircraft itself was destroyed and a post-impact fire spread into surrounding grass, requiring a response from airport and base emergency crews.

A serious mishap without a premature conclusion

The official statement states: “More information will be released when available.”

Accident Facts

Details: U.S

Sources

U.S. Marine Corps official press release: https://www.miramar.marines.mil/Media-Room/Press-Releases/
Associated Press reporting: https://apnews.com/article/8731483556a42c793ec2796327d8986c
U.S. Marine Corps press release: https://www.marines.mil/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Display/Article/4561587/mcas-miramar-flightline-mishap/
Associated Press report: https://apnews.com/article/8731483556a42c793ec2796327d8986c
CNN reporting via KQ2/KRDO: https://www.kq2.com/cnn/cnn-national/2026/07/31/military-f-35b-fighter-jet-crashes-and-burns-at-california-marine-corps-base/

Audio from the original air traffic control recording, sourced from public recordings and released investigation records. The reconstruction, animation and written account are our own.