US asks for public's assistance in locating missing F-35 stealth jet

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US has appealed for the public's assistance after an F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter went missing over the weekend.

The $80 million F-35B Lightning II jet went missing after the plane suffered what the military called a "mishap" Sunday afternoon. The pilot safely ejected after reportedly putting the plane on autopilot.

"If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600," Joint Base Charleston wrote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.

"Based on the jet’s last-known position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion," the base, which is based in South Carolina, added, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The pilot was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Multiple news outlets said the pilot engaged autopilot before ejecting, which has complicated efforts to retrieve the aircraft. It is unclear if the jet has crashed, or if it remains airborne. Also not known is what exactly prompted the pilot to eject in the first place.

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace lashed out at the episode, asking on X, "How in the hell do you lose an F-35?"

"How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?" she said. "We knew the F-35 was stealth, but this is ridiculous."