A Marine Corps investigation found that the crash of an F-35 stealth fighter jet, missing for more than 24 hours after the pilot ejected, was caused by pilot error; however, multiple system failures and poor weather contributed to the incident.

An F-35B jet was flying in heavy rain near Joint Base Charleston on Sept. 17, 2023, when the pilot jumped from his horse and landed in a North Charleston neighborhood. But the F-35 remained airborne for about 11 minutes after launch due to the jet’s autonomous flight control systems, according to a Marine Corps investigation. launched Today.

It took authorities nearly 30 hours to find the jet, due in part to the aircraft’s stealth covering; During this time, social media users have made a number of strange theories and jokes about what could happen. It was eventually found 64 nautical miles northeast of Joint Base Charleston.

Investigators blamed the crash on the pilot but said an “electrical incident” caused multiple system failures; These included radios, transponder, tactical air navigation system and instrument landing system. helmet mounted viewThe investigation said the pilot’s main imaging system and panoramic cockpit display were not operational on at least three occasions, causing the pilot to lose orientation during a heavy rainstorm.

“The pilot misdiagnosed an out-of-control flight emergency, albeit during a heavy rainstorm with the aircraft’s electrical and display malfunctions, and was ejected from a flightable aircraft,” the investigation said.

The pilot had extensive experience flying the AV-8B Harrier jet but was a “relative novice” on the F-35B, the report said.

Following the crash, authorities were unable to locate the fifth-generation fighter because the plane’s transponder failed due to an electrical malfunction and the plane’s stealth coating made it much more difficult to locate than a conventional aircraft, according to the investigation.

“The loss of positive radar contact with the accident aircraft was due to a faulty transponder caused by electrical failure and the aircraft descending below the air traffic control radar horizon. “The loss of positive contact can also be attributed in part to the F-35B’s low observable technology,” he said.

After the accident and two fatal Marine Corps aviation accidents, the service mandated a two-day aviation flight. retreat.