An F-35 fighter jet from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada has crashed north of Las Vegas, but the pilot survived with only minor injuries after ejecting safely.

The incident occurred approximately 25 miles northeast of Indian Springs in Clark County on Wednesday. Nellis Air Force Base released a statement confirming the crash and noting that emergency responders were on the scene with no impact on populated areas.

Initial reports caused some confusion, with local media such as KSNV News 3 mentioning an F-15 fighter jet experiencing manoeuvring issues the previous day. However, the base clarified that it was an F-35 involved in this event.

At around 5pm Eastern Time, an emergency response was triggered at the base following reports of a possible crash. Details were scarce at first, prompting the base to announce on social media that personnel were searching for the pilot.

The aircraft was initially reported as missing before being located crashed near the Indian Springs area. A subsequent update at 5:42pm ET from Nellis confirmed the pilot had been found safe and was receiving treatment for minor injuries.

Nellis Air Force Base, situated about 8 miles northeast of downtown Las Vegas, is a key US Air Force installation known for advanced training and testing operations. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The US military has not yet provided further details on the circumstances leading to the incident, but the swift ejection and rescue highlight the effectiveness of the F-35's safety systems.

This event marks another incident involving US stealth fighters in recent years, though the pilot's survival underscores ongoing improvements in ejection technology and rapid response protocols.

Agencies