Pilot safe after military jet crashes in Fresno County, officials say

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- An investigation is underway after a military jet went down in a fiery crash in Fresno County, just miles away from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The pilot ejected from the plane before the crash and is safe.

The incident happened just after 6:30 pm Wednesday near Dickenson and Cadillac Avenues.

NAS Lemoore says the aircraft was an F-35C fighter jet, which was part of the VFA-125 "Rough Raiders."

Flames were seen coming out of the jet in the middle of a cotton field.

A helicopter arrived at the scene and took the pilot to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Officials say the pilot was an experienced flyer and that the investigation is just getting started.

"This will be a long, drawn out investigation," says Tony Botti with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes owns the field where the F-35 went down.

Mendes says he received a call from his son telling him about the crash.

No information has been released on what may have caused the stealth fighter jet to crash.