No Survivors Found After Small Plane Crashes in Alaska River
TimeApr 11, 2024
F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in Alaska, Pilot Ejects Safely
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Above: A USN F-35 C appears in the Pacific Air Show on Sept. 29, 2023. Image copyright: Nick Ut/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on Tuesday at 12:49 pm local time during the landing phase of a training mission, with the pilot successfully ejecting after declaring an in-flight emergency.
The incident was captured on video showing the Lockheed Martin-built jet spinning in tight circles with its landing gear extended before falling and exploding upon impact within the base's fence line, approximately 25 miles southeast of Fairbanks.
The pilot was transported to Bassett Army Hospital in stable condition for further evaluation.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The F-35 remains the US military's premier fifth-generation fighter with advanced stealth and combat capabilities serving across multiple military branches. The immediate response and successful pilot evacuation demonstrate the effectiveness of safety protocols and emergency procedures. The Air Force maintains full confidence in the platform's capabilities despite this incident.
Establishment-critical narrative
Recent F-35 incidents, including three crashes within a year, raise significant concerns about the aircraft's reliability and operational safety. The $135M per unit price tag and recurring technical malfunctions suggest potential systemic issues that require deeper scrutiny and evaluation. This recent crash is concerning and warrants further investigation into F-35s as a whole.
