Missing US fighter

jet F-35 on display in Denmark. Bo Amstrup / Ritzau Scanpix  

Missing US fighter

American fighter plane gone - pilot ejected  

 

A fighter plane of the model F-35 has disappeared in the United States, American media reports. The pilot flying the plane had to eject himself after a "mishap" and landed unharmed in North Charleston, South Carolina, according to the military.  

 

In a post on Facebook, the authority is asking for the public's help in finding the plane. The search is focused on two lakes, AP writes.  

 

An F-35. Senior Airman Joseph Barron / AP  

 

The plane still missing - but not in the air  

 

The missing pilotless F-35 fighter jet has still not been found, but authorities are now "certain" that it is not in the air, reports NBC News.  

 

Earlier on Monday, the US Defense Department announced that a pilot ejected with a rocket seat while the plane was flying on autopilot, implying that the plane may have been flying without a pilot.  

 

The aircraft's transponder has stopped working and it has therefore not been possible to find the aircraft. The search mission is further complicated by the fact that the F-35 has a good ability to avoid radar.  

 

- The search mission continues and we are grateful for the help we are receiving, says Joe Leitner, spokesperson for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing according to NBC.  

 

The plane's last known location was near an air base in South Carolina.