The wreckage from the missing F-35B stealth fighter has finally been located, bringing to a close one of the strangest aerial events in recent years.
“The mishap is currently under investigation.” Captain Joe Leitner, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson, said. According to Joint Base Charleston's spokesman Jeremy Huggins, the aircraft was on autopilot when the pilot ejected and likely remained airborne for a short time afterward. The public has still not been made aware of what caused the pilot to eject, and the Federal Aviation Authority is currently not responding to requests for comment while they investigate the incident.
In a statement, Joint Base Charleston stated that it collaborated with Navy and Marine units and the FAA, Civil Air Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies across South Carolina. “JB Charleston is transferring incident command to the USMC this evening, as they begin the recovery process. The mishap is currently under investigation, and we are unable to provide additional details to preserve the integrity of the investigative process,” the
. “We would like to thank all of our mission partners, as well as local, county, and state authorities, for their dedication and support throughout the search and as we transition to the recovery phase," it added.via email that even if the F-35 could fly on autopilot, it would likely be limited by fuel and physics, preventing it from traveling too far.
With the aircraft now finally discovered, the Marine Corps should be able to start answering some of the key questions.
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