Training jet from VF-125 squadron goes down near Naval Air Station Lemoore; fiery wreck draws online attention
A U.S. Navy F-35 fighter jet went down in a rural area of California on Wednesday evening, triggering a fireball that sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky and a flurry of videos onto social media. The pilot ejected in time and survived without major injuries, according to the Navy.
The jet was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, a training unit based out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, one of the Navy’s key hubs for the next-generation stealth fighter.
A Roar, A Crash, and A Fireball
The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. local time, roughly 40 miles southwest of Fresno, near open farmland and dry terrain. Residents in the area reported a loud sonic boom followed by the sight of flames and a mushroom of smoke.
One local rancher said he saw what looked like “a fire comet streaking sideways” before impact.
“The ground shook,” said 58-year-old Rick Delgado, who lives about a mile from the crash site. “And then boom — this giant plume went straight up. I thought it was a brush fire until I saw the wreckage.”
Footage quickly spread online showing emergency crews arriving at the crash scene. The aircraft appeared to be fully engulfed in flames, though the exact debris pattern wasn’t immediately clear.
What We Know About the Jet and the Pilot
The aircraft belonged to VF-125, also known as the “Rough Raiders,” a squadron responsible for training Navy pilots on the F-35C — the carrier-based variant of the jet.
These jets are no ordinary fighters. The F-35C is the most advanced aircraft in the Navy’s arsenal, capable of stealth flight, data fusion, and short takeoffs from aircraft carriers.
The pilot, whose name has not yet been released, was on a routine training mission. After the aircraft experienced trouble, he ejected safely and was recovered by base personnel. The Navy confirmed he was taken to a medical center for evaluation and is “in stable condition.”
That’s a huge relief. The last time an F-35 went down — in 2022 near the South China Sea — the pilot also survived, but the wreckage caused a serious scramble to prevent China from recovering sensitive technology.
The F-35 Program’s Checkered Track Record
The crash is the latest incident involving the controversial F-35 program, which, despite its eye-popping capabilities, has often found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Let’s take a quick look at the numbers:
| Year | Total F-35 Crashes | Type Involved | Pilot Survival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | F-35A, F-35B | Both survived |
| 2022 | 1 | F-35C | Survived |
| 2023 | 1 | F-35B | Survived |
| 2025 (so far) | 1 | F-35C | Survived |
Despite these issues, the Pentagon continues to invest billions into the F-35 platform. It’s still seen as the future of U.S. airpower, integrating air-to-air combat, electronic warfare, and intelligence-gathering in one sleek jet.
But yeah, accidents like this? They don’t exactly boost public confidence — especially when they come with flaming wrecks and viral footage.
What Happens Next?
The Navy says it has opened a formal investigation into the crash. No cause has been announced, and officials haven’t ruled out mechanical failure or pilot error.
One retired Navy aviator we spoke to, who flew F/A-18s for over a decade, said the location and training nature suggest “it was probably a systems failure or instrument issue — that’s usually what causes ejections during routine drills.”
Here’s what typically happens after a military aircraft crash:
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Crash site is sealed off by Navy and local authorities.
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Flight data is recovered from the aircraft (if possible).
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A safety review board is convened, usually within 48 hours.
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Pilot interviews and telemetry data help reconstruct events.
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Squadron-wide inspections often follow for similar aircraft.
The base has not grounded other jets yet, but that could change based on initial findings.
Community Reactions and Local Impact
Lemoore isn’t a household name, but it’s crucial to U.S. naval aviation. With over 10,000 military and civilian personnel, the base plays a central role in preparing fighter squadrons for deployment to carriers in the Pacific and beyond.
So when a jet goes down nearby — even in an unpopulated area — people notice.
“It’s scary, man. We live with these planes flying over us all the time,” said 23-year-old Kevin Madsen, who works at a hardware store in Lemoore. “We trust the pilots, but yeah, sometimes you just hope nothing falls from the sky.”
This isn’t the first such incident in the area either. A few years ago, an F/A-18 crashed during a training sortie — no casualties, but a big jolt for the community.
F-35 Incidents Keep Making News
The Lemoore crash adds to the string of incidents involving the F-35 over the past few years — each time renewing scrutiny over cost, maintenance, and reliability.
And let’s be honest — the numbers are staggering. The U.S. has already poured over $1.7 trillion into the F-35 program, making it the most expensive weapons system in Pentagon history.
Critics argue that while the aircraft delivers unmatched stealth and data capabilities, its high maintenance costs and frequent technical hiccups are hard to overlook.
Still, the program presses on. Over 980 F-35s are now flying worldwide, operated by the U.S. and its allies, including Japan, the UK, and Australia.
But each crash — even when the pilot walks away — chips away at the aircraft’s aura of invincibility.
