Search on for a lacking Marine Corps fighter jet in South Carolina after pilot safely ejects

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Primarily based on the lacking airplane’s location and trajectory, the seek for the F-35 Lightning II jet was targeted on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion.

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II performs a demonstration flight.
A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II performs an illustration flight on the Paris Air Present, in Le Bourget, east of Paris, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. On Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, a Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from an F-35 Lightning II over North Charleston, S.C. The seek for his lacking plane was targeted on two lakes north of North Charleston, navy officers stated. AP Picture/Michel Euler, File

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from a fighter jet over North Charleston on Sunday afternoon and the seek for his lacking plane was targeted on two lakes north of North Charleston, navy officers stated.

The pilot ejected and parachuted safely right into a North Charleston neighborhood at about 2 p.m. He was taken to a neighborhood hospital, the place he was in secure situation, stated Maj. Melanie Salinas. The pilot’s identify has not been launched.

Primarily based on the lacking airplane’s location and trajectory, the seek for the F-35 Lightning II jet was targeted on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, stated Senior Grasp Sgt. Heather Stanton at Joint Base Charleston. Each lakes are north of North Charleston.

A South Carolina Legislation Enforcement Division helicopter joined the seek for the F-35 after some dangerous climate cleared within the space, Stanton stated. Army officers appealed in on-line posts Sunday for any assist from the general public in finding the plane.

Officers are nonetheless investigating why the pilot ejected, authorities stated.

The pilot of a second F-35 returned safely to Joint Base Charleston, Salinas stated.

The planes and pilots have been with the Marine Fighter Assault Coaching Squadron 501 based mostly in Beaufort, not removed from South Carolina’s Atlantic coast.