A high-tech F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet worth $100 million went missing over South Carolina after the pilot was compelled to eject, leaving the aircraft in an enigmatic 'zombie state.'
One of the world's most advanced and costly fighter jets has disappeared without a trace in South Carolina following an unidentified incident that led the pilot to eject, leaving the state-of-the-art F-35 with stealth capabilities in an unusual autonomous mode. The incident unfolded over North Charleston at approximately 2 pm on Sunday, when two of these remarkable jets, each valued at around $100 million, were cruising side-by-side. Amid this extraordinary occurrence, the pilot executed an ejection maneuver, safely descending via parachute into a residential area. The pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, was subsequently transported to a local hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, according to Maj. Melanie Salinas.
Based on the last known location and trajectory of the missing F-35 Lightning II, the search efforts have been primarily focused on Lake Moultrie, approximately 50 miles from North Charleston. It has been revealed that the pilot had engaged the autopilot system just before the ejection, complicating the search operation. Remarkably, officials have emphasized that there is no concrete evidence to suggest that the jet has encountered an actual crash, intensifying the intrigue surrounding the incident.
The spokesperson for Joint Base Charleston, Jeremy Huggins, has raised another layer of mystery, revealing that the F-35's transponder, a critical tracking device, is inexplicably non-functional. The F-35 and its pilot were associated with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, headquartered in Beaufort, located not far from South Carolina's Atlantic coast.
As the investigation unfolds, the disappearance of this state-of-the-art fighter jet continues to baffle authorities, leaving the public and military community with unanswered questions regarding the fate of the missing F-35 Lightning II.