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The US military has confirmed the loss of an F-35 Lightning II aircraft after footage of a fiery crash appeared online from Eielson Air Force Base.
The F-35 Lightning II, landing gear extended in the footage, fell in an uncontrolled flat spin, passing in front of its own ejected pilot before striking the ground and exploding near an aircraft runway at the base on January 28.
A 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs statement has confirmed that an aircraft crash occurred at 12:49 pm within the fence line of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The pilot is safe and has been transported to Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation, while emergency crews are responding – according to the statement.
“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security,” said Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.
“I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.”
In addition, 354th Fighter Wing command confirmed local traffic had been stopped on a nearby highway due to safety risks and the impeding of recovery efforts
In May last year, a developmental version of the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet crashed after take-off near Albuquerque International Airport, New Mexico, on 28 May.
That aircraft, a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Marines Corps version worth approximately US$109 million, was en route from Naval Air Reserve Station in Texas to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California when the incident occurred.
