Marine Corps says F-35B stealth fighter crashed in California, pilot ejected
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Marine Corps says the pilot of an F-35B stealth fighter is expected to live after ejecting from the jet before it crashed in California.
19 sources checked · Left, Center, and Right included · 1h ago
Headlines largely report the F-35B crash and pilot ejection, but one emphasizes "footage" and describes the event as "crazy."

MOSTLY SAME
As of July 31, 2026 at 11:35 PM, this is how Optics News reads the wording differences in this story.
19 sources across Left, Center, and Right all describe the same event.
45/99 — small wording differences, not a major framing split.
WHAT EACH SIDE EMPHASIZED
Stuff (New Zealand) · Center-left · News report
KABC / ABC7 Los Angeles · Center · News report
Pittsburgh Tribune Review · Center-right · News report
SEE THE HEADLINES
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Marine Corps says the pilot of an F-35B stealth fighter is expected to live after ejecting from the jet before it crashed in California.
A military jet crashed at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego Friday, prompting a response from emergency crews.
The pilot ejected before the US$109 million (NZ$185 million) plane crashed at a San Diego base in a “Class A mishap”.
Unidentified pilot of F-35B fighter jet receives treatment for non-life-threatening injuries after crash near Miramar An F-35B fighter jet crashed near a US Marine Corps base in San Diego o...
The pilot ejected and an F-35 fighter jet crashed onto a military base in San Diego. NBC News’ Courtney Kube reports on the investigation now underway.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The U.S. Marine Corps says the pilot of an F-35B stealth fighter is expected to live after ejecting from the jet before it crashed in California. The jet went down Friday near the Miramar a...
A military jet crashed near Miramar Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego Friday, prompting a response from emergency crews at Miramar Air Base.
A military jet crashed near Miramar Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego Friday, prompting a response from emergency crews at Miramar Air Base.
A military jet crashed near Miramar Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego Friday, prompting a response from emergency crews at Miramar Air Base.
A military jet crashed near Miramar Marine Corps Air Base in San Diego Friday, prompting a response from emergency crews at Miramar Air Base.
SOURCE MAP CHANGES
Jul 31, 9:45 PM: KGO / ABC7 San Francisco joined the source map.
Jul 31, 9:45 PM: WPVI / 6abc Philadelphia joined the source map.
Jul 31, 9:45 PM: KTRK / ABC13 Houston joined the source map.
Jul 31, 9:45 PM: ABC7 New York joined the source map.
Now: Wording Gap is 45/99 and story health is stable · 19 sources · all three buckets · comparable news format.