US Air Force's F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes During Training Exercise In Alaska After 'Inflight Malfunction': On Cam
The pilot managed to eject after experiencing an "inflight malfunction", which caused the aircraft to crash during the landing phase of the flight. He could be seen descending using a parachute.
A US Air Force fighter jet crashed on Tuesday during a training exercise at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, an operational hub for over fifty of these fifth-generation jets located about 25 miles south of Fairbanks. Fortunately, the pilot managed to escape safely after the F-35 fighter jet crashed.
The pilot managed to eject after experiencing an "inflight malfunction", which caused the aircraft to crash during the landing phase of the flight, Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, US Air Force, said at a news conference, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The dramatic "aircraft incident" was captured on video, and was filmed from the base’s flight line near Fairbanks, CNN reported.
The footage shows the Lockheed Martin-built jet spinning in tight circles with its landing gear extended as it plummeted toward the ground almost vertically. After the crash, a huge flame plume rising several metres in the air can be seen. The pilot, who managed to eject on time from the jet, can also be seen descending with a parachute in the video.
BREAKING: F-35 has crashed in Alaska pic.twitter.com/ZLqlADWWbU
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Townsend further said that the pilot had declared an inflight emergency before the crash, and is now reportedly stable after being transported to Bassett Army Hospital. The crash has reportedly caused "significant damage" to the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the 354th Fighter Wing confirmed in a statement.
"The pilot is safe and has been transported to Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation," he said. "I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation in hopes to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again," Townsend added.
He further assured that the US Air Force will conduct a "thorough investigation" to minimise the chances of such incidents from happening again. The F-35 is lauded for its advanced stealth and combat capabilities and is a cornerstone of the US military fleet, serving the Air Force, Marine Corps, and the Navy.
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