F-35 pilot held nearly hour-long conference call mid-air to fix fighter jet before it crashed
The F-35 pilot faced a terrifying ordeal when his $200 million jet experienced a critical mechanical failure mid-air. The pilot spent 50 minutes on a conference call with engineers in a desperate attempt to solve the problem before the jet ultimately crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The pilot was forced to eject from the aircraft as it plummeted to the ground and burst into flames.
The crash was caused by ice in the hydraulic lines of the nose and main landing gears, which prevented them from deploying properly. Despite the pilot’s efforts to rectify the issue, the landing gear remained jammed at a left angle, making it impossible to control the aircraft. The pilot engaged in a conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers as the jet circled near the airbase, but their efforts to fix the gear were unsuccessful.
As the situation escalated, the pilot attempted two “touch and go” landings to straighten the jammed nose gear, but the landing gears froze up completely, causing the jet to become uncontrollable. In a split-second decision, the pilot ejected from the aircraft before it crashed.
An investigation later revealed that one-third of the fluid in the hydraulic system was water, leading to the hydraulic icing issue. A similar incident occurred at the same base just nine days after the crash, highlighting the severity of the problem.
The F-35 manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has faced criticism for the costly production of the aircraft. Despite recent price reductions, the program is still expected to cost over $2 trillion by 2088. Elon Musk, former head of the Department of Government Efficiency, criticized the F-35 program for its flaws and inefficiencies, stating that manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks associated with operating advanced military aircraft. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential to address and rectify issues to ensure the safety of pilots and the effectiveness of military operations.
