A U.S. Air Force F-35 pilot engaged in an unprecedented 50-minute airborne conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers before his $200 million fighter jet crashed in Alaska on January 28.
According to Yahoo News, the incident at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks resulted in the pilot ejecting safely with minor injuries, while the aircraft plummeted straight down and erupted in a fireball. The crash was captured on video, showing the devastating moment of impact.
The Air Force investigation revealed that ice formation in the hydraulic lines of both the nose and main landing gears was the primary cause of the crash. The freezing temperatures of -1 degree Fahrenheit played a crucial role in the malfunction.
Critical Landing Gear Malfunction Leads to Crisis
The problem began when the pilot attempted to retract the landing gear after takeoff, but the system failed to respond properly. The nose gear became locked at an angle, creating a dangerous situation for the aircraft.
Five Lockheed Martin specialists, including a senior software engineer, a flight safety engineer, and three landing gear system experts, participated in the emergency conference call. The team attempted to troubleshoot the issue while the aircraft circled near the base.
The pilot attempted two "touch and go" landings to rectify the nose gear problem, but these efforts proved unsuccessful. The situation worsened when both main landing gears froze and couldn't extend fully.
Previous Warnings and Similar Incidents Surface
Lockheed Martin had issued guidance about the F-35's sensor problems in extreme cold weather through a maintenance newsletter in April 2024. The advisory specifically warned about potential control difficulties in such conditions.
Nine days after the crash, another F-35 at the same base experienced similar hydraulic icing problems. Fortunately, that aircraft managed to land safely without incident.
The investigation discovered that approximately one-third of the hydraulic fluid in both the nose and right main landing gear systems contained water contamination. This contamination should not have been present in the system.
Multiple Factors Contributing to Aircraft Loss
The Air Force's Accident Investigation Board identified several contributing factors to the crash. These included decisions made during the in-flight conference call and inadequate oversight of the hazardous material program.
The conference call participants failed to reference the 2024 maintenance newsletter, which could have led them to recommend either a full stop landing or controlled ejection. This oversight ultimately contributed to the crash.
The investigation also highlighted deficiencies in following proper aircraft hydraulics servicing procedures. These maintenance shortcomings directly impacted the aircraft's performance during the critical situation.
Impact on Air Force Operations Revealed
The destruction of the $200 million aircraft represents a significant loss for the Air Force's advanced fighter fleet. The incident has prompted a thorough review of cold-weather operations and maintenance procedures.
The crash investigation findings have led to enhanced scrutiny of hydraulic system maintenance and cold-weather operations protocols. These improvements aim to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Air Force continues to evaluate the implications of this incident on their F-35 fleet operations, particularly in extreme weather conditions. The lessons learned from this crash will influence future training and maintenance procedures for the advanced fighter jet program.
