A couple in South Carolina reported seeing an F-35 fighter jet flying in an “inverted” position shortly before hearing a “boom.” The eyewitness account comes as military investigators try to determine the circumstances that led to the pilot ejecting and the aircraft crashing in rural Williamsburg County. The incident initially drew attention when Joint Base Charleston announced that the jet had gone missing and the transponder was not working. The debris field was found more than 24 hours later, and questions remain about why the pilot ejected and how the jet flew undetected.
Key Points:
- A South Carolina couple observed an F-35 fighter jet flying at a low altitude and in an “inverted” position before hearing a sound they initially thought was “rolling thunder.”
- The jet’s pilot had ejected safely, but the aircraft went missing for over 24 hours before a debris field was discovered in rural Williamsburg County. The jet is known for its stealth capabilities, and its transponder was not working at the time of the incident.
- The military has not confirmed the couple’s account but is currently investigating the incident. Initial claims that the jet was left on autopilot during the pilot’s ejection were later amended, stating that authorities are still investigating the matter.
- No injuries were reported on the ground, and the couple said the jet would have flown over a sunflower field, trees, and a few houses before crashing.
- Questions still remain as to why the pilot ejected from the aircraft and how it was able to fly undetected before the crash.
