Pilot seriously injured as F-35B test plane crashes near airport in New Mexico

An American pilot has been seriously injured after ejecting from his F-35B, which crashed near Albuquerque airport.

The pilot was conscious when he was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital, according to airport officials and Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

The plane was a developmental model of the F-35B Lightning II, which was being delivered by aerospace technologies firm Lockheed Martin. 

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Lockheed Martin said: "An F-35B en route from Fort Worth, Texas, to Edwards Air Force Base, California, crashed after a refuelling stop at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

"The pilot safely ejected. Safety is our priority and we will follow appropriate investigation protocol."

According to a press release from Kirtland Air Force Base, the pilot's condition was stable.

The US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps all fly the F-35.

RAF Marham in Norfolk is the home of the UK's F-35B jets.