A U.S. Navy F-35C fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in California on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. PDT, according to a statement from the Navy.

The aircraft, part of the Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-125, known as the Rough Riders, went down close to the base, which is located approximately 38 miles southwest of Fresno.

The Navy confirmed that the pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and is safe. There were no other personnel affected by the crash.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. This marks the second crash of an F-35 fighter jet in the United States this year. In January, another F-35 Lightning II crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, with the pilot also reported safe.

The F-35C is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet utilized by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. It is designed for various missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.

According to a December report from the Congressional Research Service, the cost of the F-35C ranges from $62.2 million to $77.2 million.

This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.