A U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed near the north end of the runway at Hill Air Force Base, Utah on Wednesday evening.
The 388th Fighter Wing announced the crash at around 6:30 p.m. MST on Wednesday, tweeting, “An F-35 from the 388th crashed at the north end of the runway @HAFB . Pilot ejected. Emergency crews are responding.”
In a subsequent tweet, the 388th Fighter Wing said the crash occurred at around 6:15 p.m. local time.
The fighter wing also said the pilot was taken to local medical center for observation.
The exact cause of the crash is unclear at this time.
Both on and off-base emergency crews responded to the scene. The fighter wing asked people to avoid the South Weber Drive area at this time.
The 388th Fighter Wing did not immediately respond to an American Military News request for comment.
Fox13 journalist Brian Schnee shared photos from the crash site at Hill Air Force Base, which is located about 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City.
Schnee shared photos Eli Long shot through a telescopic lens, showing the fighter’s wreckage and a smoldering brush fire.
KSL5 journalist Ashley Moser shared photos taken by Tyler Okelberry, showing the smoldering crash site from a distance.
The Air Force grounded most of its F-35A fleet for more than two weeks this summer after discovering a potential problem with their Martin-Baker ejection seats.
