July 31 — At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, an F-35 stealth
fighter crashed on landing, caught fire and produced heavy black smoke. Two jets
were conducting training; one landed safely, the other suffered a heavy tail
strike on touchdown, skidded along the runway and the pilot ejected. The blaze
burned nearby vegetation. Officials have not released the status of the pilot or
crew; cause under investigation.
