F35 Lost How does this happen   

From an unconfirmed source, this F-35B was one of three that had an auto ejection (non pilot intro) implemented into the software.  Your point of orbiting the sequence area is quite valid.  Imagine being over hostile territory and the computer senses a major issue.  For whatever reason, the pilot either being task saturated or incapacitated is unable to pull the handle.  The computer runs through the process and "bang" the jets are fired.  Ground troops are going to have a major advantage finding you as your jet orbits overhead while you tride to evade.