HILL AIR FORCE BASE — An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet crashed at Hill Air Force Base on Wednesday around 6:15 p.m.
Officials say the pilot ejected and was recovered by emergency crews. The pilot was taken to a medical center for observation.
Brock Thurgood, who owns property in South Weber near the base, said the pilot landed near his property after ejecting. Thurgood said he heard a loud boom and saw smoke, so he got on an all-terrain vehicle to investigate, along with his daughter and two other nearby residents.
“We went up there and as we’re driving down the Canal Road … looking for a way to get up there, we looked over and saw him,” Thurgood said. “He was waving his arms and yelling and walking down towards us and it was the pilot. I don’t really think there’s much to say other than that he’s OK, and that’s the most important part.”
Source: F-35 crashes at Hill Air Force Base; pilot ‘made his best effort to avoid any buildings’
