A United States Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, California, on Friday, with the pilot ejecting safely before impact.

The military base confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as an aviation mishap that occurred at about 10:00 a.m. local time (1700 GMT).

“There was an aviation mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar,” a spokesperson for the base said.

“The pilot was ejected and has been recovered.”

In a subsequent update, MCAS Miramar said the pilot was taken to a medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Videos shared on social media showed thick smoke billowing from the crash site as firefighters responded to extinguish the flames.

MCAS Miramar is internationally known as the former home of the US Navy’s elite “Top Gun” fighter pilot training school, popularised by the 1986 film Top Gun starring Tom Cruise.

The F-35B, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a stealth fighter aircraft capable of short take-off and vertical landing. According to the company, each aircraft is valued at approximately $109 million.

The cause of the crash was not immediately disclosed, and an investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.