Pilot rescued as F-35b jet crashes into the Mediterranean
A PILOT was rescued when a £100million jet crashed after taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth yesterday - the first loss of a plane from the Navy's flagship.
The British flier was saved after the F-35b single-seat fighter ditched into the Med near the carrier at 10am.
An inquiry has begun but it is thought technical issues or human error are to blame.
No other planes or ships were involved and flights from the carrier continued. The F35b Lightning is the UK’s most-advanced jet, and uses stealth technology
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
The 918ft-long HMS Queen Elizabeth can carry 60 planes and has led airstrikes on Isis targets in Iraq and Syria.
Francis Tusa, editor of the Defence Analysis newsletter, said: “We have so few of the aircraft that losing one is really quite serious.”
Britain has 24 F-35s and plans to double that by 2025.