Authorities found a debris field Monday afternoon in the US military’s search for a missing F-35 stealth jet that a pilot ejected from Sunday during a bizarre “mishap,” officials said.
The debris was discovered about two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston in Williamsburg County, according to a press release from the South Carolina military base.
“Members of the community should avoid the area as the recovery team secures the debris field,” Joint Base Charleston said.
The joint base is transferring incident command to the United States Marine Corp as the recovery process gets started. The base could not officially confirm the debris was from the missing jet Monday night.
The $90 million jet, which maker Lockheed Martin brags as being “the most lethal, stealthy and survivable aircraft in the world” vanished after its pilot left the aircraft on autopilot before bailing in a parachute and landing in a homeowner’s backyard Sunday afternoon.
But the search for the jet was hindered because the transponder – that would usually help pinpoint it – was not working “for some reason that we haven’t yet determined,” base spokesperson Jeremey Huggins told the Washington Post.
Military officials even pleaded with the public for tips that might lead to the jet.
“The mishap is currently under investigation, and we are unable to provide additional details to preserve the integrity of the investigative process,” Joint Base Charleston said Monday evening.
The missing jet led to some ridicule over the last 24 hours.
“How in the hell do you lose an F-35?” South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace tweeted.
“How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?