F-35 crashes into Hill AFB runway; pilot taken for medical observation
Photo supplied, Todd Cromar/U.S. Air Force
An F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to Hill Air Force Base takes off from the base in this undated image.HILL AIR FORCE BASE — An F-35 pilot ejected in the air Wednesday evening before their aircraft crashed on the north end of the runway.
According to Micah Garbarino, with the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office, the pilot ejected before the crash. After a brief search, the pilot was located and taken to a local medical center for observation.
Garbarino said he was unaware of the pilot’s status late Wednesday.
The 388th Fighter Wing, on social media accounts, shared that an F-35 A Lightning II crashed on the runway around 6:15 p.m. Both on- and off-base emergency crews responded to the site of the crash.
The cause of the crash is unknown and will be investigated, according to online posts.
Photos and videos shared by observers showd a large cloud of smoke above the base.
Hill Air Force Base officials have requested residents who find anything related to the crash to call 801-777-3056.