The pilot catapulted himself out of the fighter jet after an incident. The plane has been missing since then.
According to US media, the US military authorities are asking the public for help. The strange reason: They want to find one of their F-35 fighter jets worth $100 million. The plane disappeared on Sunday afternoon while the pilot was flying over the state of South Carolina in the southern United States.
Authorities said the plane was involved in an “incident” without giving details. The pilot then catapulted himself out of the plane and landed safely with the parachute. He is in stable condition in hospital.
And the fighter jet? Was left in autopilot mode. He could have continued to travel independently for some time. But the authorities are certain: the plane has now crashed.
“How the hell do you lose an F-35?”
The search is now focused on the area around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, north of the city of Charleston.
Nancy Macea Republican congresswoman for South Carolina, asked Xearlier Twitter: “How the hell do you lose an F-35? How come there is no tracking device and we have to ask the public to find an aircraft?”
Please to the public
The F-35 is a stealth aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Its aircraft structure, sensors and systems are designed to operate undetected by enemy radar.
Joint Base Charleston, the airport in North Charleston, posted its appeal for help X. “Rescue teams are still searching for the F-35,” it said. “The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as efforts continue.”