The pilot ejected and parachuted safely into a North Charleston city neighbourhood at about 2pm on Sunday local time, sparking a search by military officials to locate the missing multimillion-dollar plane.

“If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center,” a post from the Joint Base Charleston read on X.

“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,” it added.

The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II jet began its flight from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The aircraft was part of a Marine fighter attack training squadron with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The authorities did not say what caused the mishap and said more information would be provided at a later time. Military officials have since appealed in online posts for help from the public to locate the aircraft.