Pilot ejects from fighter jet in Texas in failed landing

A pilot safely ejected from a plane Thursday after a failed landing at a North Texas military base, officials said.

The Marine Corps variant of a fighter jet, known as a F-35B, took a nose dive and spiraled after its wheels briefly touched down on the shared runway at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth.

The F-35B has special modifications that allow it to take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The pilot safely ejected from the airplane, according to Pentagon spokesman Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder. Officials from Lockheed Martin said in a statement that they were aware of the crash and were under the impression the pilot was safe.

"Safety is our priority, and we will follow appropriate investigation protocol," the company said in the statement.