### Pilot Ejected from F-35B Before Crash, Claims Dismissal Was Unjust

A pilot who ejected from a malfunctioning F-35B fighter jet over South Carolina alleges that he was unfairly dismissed from his command position following the incident. Col. Charles "Tre" Del Pizzo, 49, told Defense News that his removal was ordered by Gen. Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, after reviewing the investigation report on the crash.

On September 17, 2023, Del Pizzo was attempting to land the F-35B in heavy rain at Joint Base Charleston when the jet’s primary displays and communications malfunctioned. Despite backup systems remaining functional, investigators concluded that Del Pizzo misinterpreted the situation and ejected unnecessarily from an operable aircraft. The jet continued on autopilot for 11 minutes and 21 seconds, covering 64 nautical miles before crashing in rural Williamsburg County.

The Marine Corps’ investigation noted that Del Pizzo followed standard procedures but criticized the flight manual for having an overly broad definition of "out-of-control" flight, which contributed to Del Pizzo’s decision to eject. Although he was cleared of dereliction of duty, Marine Corps leadership lost confidence in his ability to command, resulting in his dismissal from VMX-1, an elite squadron tasked with evaluating the Corps’ aircraft and developing combat tactics.

Del Pizzo’s career spans over 25 years, including deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and leadership roles in various Marine Corps aviation units. He was slated for a prestigious command at VMX-1 in August 2022, taking over in June last year before being relieved of his duties by Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering on October 2, 2023.

The incident drew widespread attention, especially after the jet went missing for over a day. The search involved multiple agencies, leading to both professional and public scrutiny. The mishap marked the third major aviation incident for the Marines in six weeks, prompting a temporary stand-down of aviation operations to review safety protocols.

Del Pizzo has been offered subsequent assignments and is now considering his next steps with his family. Reflecting on the sudden change, he expressed gratitude for the support from his colleagues and loved ones.