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

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 centered on two lakes north of North Charleston, army officers mentioned.

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

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

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

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