Latest F-35 crash highlights concerns
Nathan Solis, Staff Writer
July 31, 2025
Summary
A U.S. Navy F‑35C “Rough Raiders” fighter jet crashed in a fiery blaze into a cotton field near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California on the evening of July 30, 2025. The pilot ejected safely, was located in a nearby field with his parachute, and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Emergency responders quickly contained the fire. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Main points
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The crash occurred on the evening of July 30, 2025, around 6:30–6:40 p.m. The Economic Times+12Los Angeles Times+12San Francisco Chronicle+12AP News+1
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The aircraft was an F‑35C assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125, known as the “Rough Raiders,” based at NAS Lemoore San Francisco Chronicle+2Wikipedia+2
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The pilot ejected safely and was found in a nearby field; he was airlifted to a hospital and expected to recover The Indian Express+8Los Angeles Times+8AP News+8
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Emergency responders—including sheriff’s deputies, CHP, firefighters, and EMS—contained the blaze; a bulldozer was used to gain access to the burning wreckage San Francisco Chronicle+1
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The Navy confirmed the crash officially, but the cause is still under investigation reuters.com+4AP News+4YouTube+4
➡️ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/31/f-35-fighter-jets-crashing/85457759007/