The accident happened while the F-35 fighter was refuelling from the KC-130.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. (Sep. 29, 2020)
At approximately 16h00 (4 p.m. Pacific time), it was reported that a Marine Corps F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter crashed in Imperial County, California, after clipping the wing of a Marine KC-130J tanker during a mid-air refuelling exercise, according to a statement issued by the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
The pilot of the F-35B ejected successfully which went down in Imperial County, according to the release. The F-35 it crashed in Salton City near a state park, igniting fires upon impact. They were put out by local firefighters, the report said, while the KC-130J was able to carry out a safe emergency landing in a carrot field with eight people aboard. All crew members of the KC-130J have been reported safe. Major damage to the right wing included both right engines and propellers, while the left engines and propellers also received some damage. The accident also caused a fuel leak, which has now been contained.
“The pilot of the F-35B ejected successfully and is currently being treated. The KC-130J is on the deck in the vicinity of Thermal Airport. All crew members of the KC-130J have been reported safe,” read a statement from the Marine Corps.
A defence official said the KC-130 (Aircraft 166765) was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, and the F-35 was based in Iwakuni, Japan.
The incident comes nearly two years after a similar but fatal incident involving Marine aviators off the coast of Japan.
Five crew members of a KC-130J tanker and the pilot of an F/A-18 Hornet died during the night time training mission on Dec. 6, 2018. The Hornet collided with the Super Hercules during the refuelling operation.
The Hornet’s weapons officer was the sole survivor. Both aircraft were based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
The Marines said the incident is under investigation.
