ANCHORAGE, Alaska \u2014 A U.S. Air Force pilot was reported to be safe after a single-seat F-35 fighter jet crashed Tuesday during a training exercise at a base in Alaska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pilot experienced an \u201cinflight malfunction\u201d but was able to eject from the aircraft, Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, told a news conference. The plane crashed during the landing phase of the flight at Eielson Air Force Base, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pilot had declared an inflight emergency prior to the crash and was in stable condition and being evaluated at a medical facility, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crash, which occurred early Tuesday afternoon, caused significant damage to the aircraft, the Air Force said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n