Pilot Spends 50 Minutes on Call With Engineers Before F-35 Jet Crash
A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed in Alaska earlier this year after the pilot spent nearly 50 minutes in mid-air on a conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers, attempting to fix a critical landing gear malfunction.
According to a CNN report, the incident was triggered by ice buildup in the hydraulic lines of the nose and main landing gears, preventing proper deployment. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot tried to retract the landing gear, but the nose wheel jammed at an angle. While troubleshooting, the jet’s system mistakenly registered that it was on the ground, leaving it uncontrollable.
Despite two attempted “touch and go” landings to realign the jammed nose gear, both efforts failed, causing the landing gear to freeze completely. With the situation worsening, the pilot ejected safely, moments before the aircraft spiralled toward the runway and burst into flames.
Investigators later found that one-third of the hydraulic fluid in the nose and right main gears contained water. Just nine days later, another jet at the same base experienced a similar icing problem but managed a safe landing. The crash occurred in temperatures as low as -18°C.
The official report pointed to flaws in “crew decision-making” during the in-flight conference call and lapses in oversight of hazardous material management.
The F-35 program, which has long faced criticism over costs and production issues, is projected to run until 2088, with overall expenses expected to exceed $2 trillion. The jet’s price, however, has dropped in recent years—from about $135.8 million in 2021 to $81 million in 2024 under a new Pentagon deal.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
