Military Plane Crash Near Albuquerque International Sunport: Pilot Ejects and Survives
On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, a military plane crashed near the Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico. According to various sources,
The incident occurred when an F-35B Lightning II fighter jet belonging to the US Marine Corps crashed off an airfield on the south side of Albuquerque International Sunport. The pilot, who was the only individual on board, safely ejected before crashing and was conscious but seriously injured.
The new F-35 that was being transferred from the Lockheed factory for service in California was involved in the crash. Kirtland Air Force Base confirmed that the plane had taken off from Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Edwards Air Force Base when it crashed.
Two civilians were assessed on scene; one refused treatment and the other was a non-patient due to debris-related injuries. The pilot was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital in stable condition.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, but no further details have been released at this time.
Background Information:
The Albuquerque International Sunport is a major airport serving Albuquerque and the surrounding area. It is located on the southwest side of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kirtland Air Force Base, which is also located in Albuquerque, was established in 1938 as an Army Air Corps flying training field.
The F-35B Lightning II is a multirole fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin for the US military. It is capable of both conventional takeoff and vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) operations.
Conclusion:
since the incident occurred, there have been conflicting reports regarding the type of aircraft involved in the crash, its origin and destination, as well as what led to the crash. However, based on available information from multiple sources,
the incident involved an F-35B Lightning II fighter jet belonging to the US Marine Corps that crashed off an airfield on the south side of Albuquerque International Sunport. The pilot safely ejected before crashing and was conscious but seriously injured.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and further details will be provided as they become available.