A US Marine Corps fighter jet has gone missing in South Carolina after its pilot safely ejected the aircraft, sparking a search by military officials.
Key points:
- The search for the F-35 is focused around lakes Moultrie and Marion in South Carolina
- It is not known yet known why the pilot ejected
- The plane was with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501
The pilot ejected and parachuted safely into a North Charleston neighbourhood at about 2pm on Sunday local time.
Military officials have since appealed in online posts for help from the public to locate the aircraft.
An investigation into why the pilot ejected is underway.
Major Melanie Salinas said he was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. The pilot’s name has not been released.
Based on the missing plane’s location and trajectory, the search for the F-35 Lightning II jet has been focused on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, Senior Master Sergeant Heather Stanton, at Joint Base Charleston, said.
Both lakes are north of North Charleston.
A South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter joined the search for the F-35 after some bad weather cleared in the area, Sergeant Stanton said.
The pilot of a second F-35 returned safely to Joint Base Charleston.
The planes and pilots were with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 based in Beaufort, not far from South Carolina’s Atlantic coast.
AP