Fighter jet from Portsmouth carrier crashes
The pilot was forced to eject
Last updated 17th Nov 2021
A fighter jet from the Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has crashed during a routine operation in the Mediterranean.
The pilot of the F35 was forced to eject after the incident happened at around 10am UK time this morning (Wednesday 17 November 2021).
The Ministry of Defence says the pilot has been safely returned to the ship.
An investigation is underway.
The F35s, estimated to be worth around ÂŁ100 million each, are on board the ÂŁ3 billion HMS Queen Elizabeth.
In a statement, an MoD spokesman said: "A British F35 pilot from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during routine flying operations in the Mediterranean this morning.
"The pilot has been safely returned to the ship and an investigation has begun, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."