A U.S. Air Force F-35B fighter jet crashed after it collided with an aerial refueling tanker on Tuesday, a U.S. marines unit said.
The pilot of the F-35B jet ejected and was being treated, while the crew of the KC-130J refueling aircraft had landed safely, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said.
The crash occurred over Imperial County, California, ABC News reported.
“At approximately 1600 it was reported that an F-35B made contact with a KC-130J during an air-to-air refueling evolution, resulting in the crash of the F-35B,” the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a tweet.
The cause of the crash was under investigation, the marines said.
The refueling plane had returned to Thermal Airport and all crew members were safe, it added.
