Have You Seen a Missing F-35? Joint Base Beaufort, SC Asks for Your Help In Finding Missing $80 million Jet

Military officials are searching for a jet after a "mishap" that forced the pilot to eject. But officials said they believe that the aircraft has not crashed, and has continued to fly on autopilot.

"We're working with @MCASBeaufortSC to locate an F-35 that was involved in a mishap this afternoon. The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600." tweeted @MCASBeaufortSC.

Radio chatter said the pilot ejected at just a few thousand feet above the ground, with last radar contact a few miles northeast of Lake Moultrie. The pilot made it out safely, and then showed up a few miles away in a backyard of a residential neighborhood on South Kenwood Drive in North Charleston. The weather was horrible at the time he ejected.

"Based on the jet's last-known position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion."

"Log in to iCloud, go to "Find my F-35," follow the loud ping sound" tweeted @benfranklin2018.

"The F35 is such a stealthy aircraft that our Air Force has lost one on a practice mission. We’re in great hands…" tweeted Davy Jones.

"Now that I got that out of the way," tweeted South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, "How in the hell do you lose an F-35? How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?"

According to a spokesman for Joint Base Charleston, the incident began around 2 p.m. EST when two F-35 were flying. One of the jets landed at Joint Base Charleston without incident, but officials said another pilot flying an F-35B Lightning II enabled an unspecified automated flight system and ejected over North Charleston.

That pilot has since been found and taken to an area hospital for treatment and is said to be stable. However, the search continues for the pilot's aircraft, which authorities say doesn't appear to have crashed.

Based on the aircraft's last known location, search efforts are focused north of Joint Base Charleston near Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion.

"The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as the recovery effort continues," a statement from Joint Base Charleston said.

- 2 fighter jets were flying side by side when the incident took place.

- For unknown reasons the jet’s transponder isn’t working.

- The incident took place over North Charleston.

- The jet’s range is 1200 miles however it’s not known how much fuel was in the jet at the time of ejection.

- The search for the jet is now focused on Lake Moultrie which is about 50 miles from North Charleston.