Missing F-35 jet flew for 60 miles without a pilot, who ejected into backyard after 'mishap'
The F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet that went missing in South Carolina flew without its pilot for about 60 miles before crashing into a wooded area.
The debris from the jet was found Monday after the pilot ejected and parachuted to safety into a residential backyard on Sunday.
But many questions remain amid an ongoing investigation into the incident. The U.S. Marine Corps hasn't yet released much information about how the "most expensive" aircraft went missing and crashed.
"How in the hell do you lose an F-35?" Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?"
Missing jet located:Debris found from F-35 fighter jet that crashed in South Carolina; Marines pause operations
The Marine Corps is handling the investigation, now documented as a "Class-A mishap," according to the defense agency. That occurs when damages reach $2.5 million or more, a Department of Defense aircraft is destroyed, or someone dies or is permanently disabled. A two-day stand down was ordered for the Marine Corps on Monday as they searched for the jet, acting Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said in a release.
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing of the Marine Corps didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
What is an F-35?
According to Lockheed Martin, the creator of the fighter jet, the F-35B Lightning II is the most lethal and survivable aircraft in the world. It can take off in short distances and is operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.K. and the Italian Air Force.
Lockheed Martin had reached a $4 billion deal with the Pentagon in 2014 to bring in a new fleet of F-35 and overall lower the cost of the planes by about 3%.
How did an F-35 go missing?
Details about how the jet went missing haven't yet been released. The jet originated from the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, about an hour north of Savannah, Georgia. A spokesman from Joint Base Charleston told NBC News the aircraft was on autopilot when the pilot ejected.
Was the missing F-35 finally found?
Yes. The military located debris from the jet near Indiantown, South Carolina.
Airmen from Joint Base Charleston, which houses military operations and wings for the Air Force and Navy, spoke to residents near the crash site about the operation to recover the fighter jet Monday.
Where is the F-35 debris field?
Joint Base Charleston said in a post on X that debris from the jet was found in Williamsburg County, South Carolina.
Residents are being asked to avoid the area as a recovery team works to secure it.
Why did the F-35 pilot eject?
Details about what caused the pilot to eject are under investigation, said 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Cpl. Christian Cortez.
What's next?
During the stand-down, aviation commanders will review the defense agency's flight practices, procedures and policies. The order will also ensure the Marine Corps is "combat ready."
"This stand-down is being taken to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardization of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews," the agency said.
Contributing: Vanessa Arredondo, USA TODAY; The Associated Press