(Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities say the pilot is in safe condition, but they are continuing to monitor the situation.
The pilot of an F-35 fighter jet was rescued after it crashed at Hill Air Force Base, south of Ogden, Utah, on Wednesday.
According to official reports, the incident was reported on social media and claimed the F-35A Lightning II went down at around 6:15 p.m. local time. The crash occurred at the runway's northern end, and nobody on the ground was hurt.
The 388th Fighter Wing based at Hill Air Force Base warned people to stay away from the crash site.
The public was advised to avoid the South Weber Drive area out of respect for the emergency workers on the site, the wing stated on Twitter, KSL reported.
Hill Air Force Base reported that the pilot had ejected, been found, and was being evaluated at a nearby hospital. However, as of the present reporting, no further information was provided regarding the pilot's condition.
The wing stated that further investigation is needed to determine what caused the incident.
Pilot Did His Best To Prevent Further Damage
At a press conference, Colonel Craig Andrle, commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, stated that the pilot had ejected from the plane while returning from a regular training mission recovery, according to CNN.
The official noted that the pilot made his best attempt to prevent any buildings and other objects on the ground before ejecting.
Several witnesses from far and wide in Davis and Weber counties said they could see smoke from the incident.
Kyler Rynearson, a local of South Weber, was tending to his car when he spotted a pair of fighter planes practicing their maneuvers.
He said that while working on his car, he heard the "weirdest explosion," like a huge firework burst, he encountered, but he did not pay attention to it. And when he looked back, he noticed a massive cloud of smoke going up.
There were several reports from Salt Lake County stating that individuals spotted multiple fighter planes approaching Salt Lake City International Airport, according to KUTV.
Nancy Volmer, a representative for the airport, confirmed that numerous base planes landed in Salt Lake. They have not disrupted routine airport operations, she added.
Authorities Continue To Monitor Situation
The crash was witnessed by 13-year-old Mitt Nilson, who lives nearby the crash site. The minor claims he was riding his dirtbike at the time of the incident. He recalled that smoke was flowing from the F-35's engine, which was the first sign of trouble.
Video footage and photos taken at the scene showed a massive column of smoke rising from the Air Force installation where the military jet crashed.
Here is the second plane flying over West Jordan pic.twitter.com/PILG8ysb2x
— Telisa May (@m_telisa) October 20, 2022
🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0GDPiXUzHL
— Scott Phillips (@scottphillips88) October 20, 2022
In addition, government authorities have spoken out about the tragedy. Utah's governor, Spencer Cox, has stated that he has been in touch with HAFB representatives.
Governor Cox said that the authorities would continue to monitor the situation and pray "for the safety of the pilot."
Rep. Blake Moore, whose district includes the base, said they were keeping a careful eye on developments.
In a tweet, he expressed appreciation for the quick action of the rescue teams.
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