US F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in Alaska. Pilot Had a 50-Minute Call with Engineers After Hydraulic Gear Jam. Aircraft Fell on Runway, Pilot Safe. Incident Raises Questions about F-35 Program's Reliability.
f35: A pilot of a US Air Force F-35 fighter jet encountered a severe technical malfunction during a flight in Alaska. Due to a problem with the aircraft, the pilot had to conduct an airborne conference call for approximately 50 minutes with five Lockheed Martin engineers while in flight. Despite this, the issue could not be resolved, and the pilot had to abandon the aircraft and eject via parachute. The aircraft crashed onto the runway.
Hydraulic System Problem
Investigations revealed that approximately one-third of the hydraulic fluid in the F-35's front and right landing gear was contaminated with water. In the cold Alaskan air, this water froze, causing the gear to jam. As soon as the pilot took off, he attempted to retract the landing gear, but the gear became stuck on the left side. When an attempt was made to fully lower the gear, it jammed, and the sensors indicated that the aircraft had landed. This led to the jet becoming uncontrollable and heading towards a crash.
Consultation in the Air
The pilot immediately initiated an airborne call and sought guidance from five Lockheed Martin engineers. For about 50 minutes, the pilot and engineers tried to find a solution to the jammed gear. The pilot also performed two "touch and go" landings in an attempt to fix the jammed gear, but both attempts were unsuccessful. Following this, the pilot had to abandon the aircraft for safety.
Pilot's Safety and Jet's Crash
The pilot safely landed via parachute, but the aircraft crashed onto the runway and turned into a fireball. Videos circulating on social media show the jet spinning and erupting in flames as it hit the ground. This incident is considered a major setback for the F-35 program, as it raises questions about the aircraft's reliability and safety.
Negligence in Hydraulic System Icing
According to the investigation report, the landing gear jammed due to the freezing of water in the hydraulic system. Additionally, the decisions made during the pilot and engineers' call and negligence in managing the materials under dangerous conditions were also significant causes of the accident. Nine days later, a similar hydraulic icing problem was reported in another jet at the same base, although that aircraft was landed safely.
Questions Arise over the F-35 Program
Lockheed Martin's F-35 program has been mired in controversy for a long time. It has faced criticism for its high cost and rushed production. In 2021, the cost of an F-35 was approximately $135.8 million, which decreased to $81 million in 2024. Nevertheless, according to the US government, the program is expected to continue until 2088, with a total cost exceeding $2 trillion. The recent crash seriously questions the program's safety and technical reliability.
