Flash News: US F-35 Fighter Jet Nears 1,100 Deliveries as 15th Crash in Alaska Confirms Safety Record Remains Strong
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An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet assigned to the U.S. Air Force 354th Fighter Wing crashed within the perimeter of Eielson U.S. Air Force Base, Alaska, on January 28, 2025. The incident occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time during a routine training mission. The pilot successfully ejected and was transported to Bassett Army Hospital, where he is reportedly in stable condition. Emergency response teams arrived at the scene quickly, and the U.S. Air Force launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the crash.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An F-35A from the 354th Fighter Wing crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, with the pilot ejecting safely and in stable condition. (Picture source: Video footage from Social Network)
Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the U.S. Air Force 354th Fighter Wing, emphasized that the safety of personnel remains a top priority. He reassured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify the factors behind the crash and to implement measures that would help prevent future incidents. Authorities have also urged local residents and travelers not to stop along the Richardson Highway near Eielson AFB, as this could pose safety risks and hinder recovery efforts. Federal law prohibits photography in the area.
This latest crash adds to a series of 15 recorded incidents involving the F-35 since its introduction. The F-35 program, one of the most advanced fighter aircraft programs in the world, has now delivered nearly 1,100 aircraft to multiple operators, including the United States, NATO allies, and partner nations. Despite these incidents, the F-35 remains one of the safest fighter aircraft in modern air combat, thanks to its advanced pilot protection systems.
Since its operational deployment, the F-35 Lightning II program has recorded 15 crashes, with incidents occurring across multiple countries and military branches. The first major event happened on June 23, 2014, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, when an F-35A suffered an engine fire during takeoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff and evacuated safely, leading to a temporary grounding of the fleet. On September 28, 2018, an F-35B crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely, and the crash was later attributed to a faulty fuel tube.
On April 9, 2019, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A disappeared from radar over the Pacific Ocean off Aomori Prefecture, Japan, during a routine training mission. The wreckage was later found, and investigators determined that the pilot likely suffered from spatial disorientation before impact. Another F-35A crash occurred on May 19, 2020, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, when the aircraft crashed upon landing after a training mission. The pilot successfully ejected, and the investigation cited pilot error and system malfunctions as contributing factors.
On September 29, 2020, an F-35B from the United States Marine Corps was involved in a mid-air collision with a KC-130 tanker during air-to-air refueling over Imperial County, California. The pilot ejected safely, while the KC-130 crash-landed in a field with all crew members surviving. The Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) also experienced an incident on November 17, 2021, when an F-35B operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. The pilot ejected safely, and the aircraft was later recovered from the seabed.
Another F-35A incident occurred on January 4, 2022, when a South Korean Air Force F-35A made an emergency belly landing at Seosan Air Base following an avionics system failure. The pilot emerged uninjured. On December 1, 2022, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B crashed during a vertical landing test at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. The pilot ejected safely, and initial reports pointed to an automated flight control issue.
More recently, on September 17, 2023, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B went missing after the pilot ejected due to a flight control malfunction near North Charleston, South Carolina. The aircraft, still on autopilot, continued flying for nearly 60 miles before crashing in a remote area. The most recent crash before the latest one in Alaska occurred in May 2024, near Clovis, New Mexico, where an F-35A crashed after a refueling stop while en route to Edwards Air Force Base. The pilot sustained serious injuries.
The most recent F-35A crash occurred on January 28, 2025, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, marking the 15th recorded crash in the program’s history. During a routine training mission, the pilot experienced an in-flight malfunction, declared an emergency, and ejected safely before the aircraft crashed during the landing phase. This incident adds to the growing list of F-35 crashes worldwide, though the aircraft continues to demonstrate high operational reliability, with nearly 1,000 aircraft delivered to date. Each crash undergoes a thorough investigation, leading to safety improvements and operational refinements to enhance pilot survivability and aircraft performance.
A key factor in ensuring pilot survivability is the Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat, designed to provide safe ejection at various altitudes and speeds. The aircraft also features an advanced Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), which enhances situational awareness and reduces the risk of pilot disorientation, a factor in previous crashes. Additionally, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) has been credited with preventing multiple accidents by automatically correcting flight paths to avoid terrain collisions. The F-35’s structural integrity, fire suppression systems, and redundant flight controls further enhance pilot safety, ensuring that even in the event of a crash, pilots have the highest chance of survival.
The Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where the crash occurred, plays a strategic role in U.S. and allied military operations, particularly in Indo-Pacific air defense and Arctic security. The base was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35A aircraft, making it a key hub for fifth-generation fighter operations in the region. The F-35A Lightning II, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, is known for its stealth capabilities, advanced sensor fusion, and networked combat systems, making it a critical asset in modern air warfare.
While the F-35 program has faced technical challenges and occasional accidents, it continues to evolve with software upgrades, avionics improvements, and enhanced pilot training. Each crash is followed by a detailed investigation to improve safety protocols and address any mechanical or pilot-related issues. The findings from the Eielson AFB crash will contribute to further improvements in operational readiness and flight safety.
The most recent F-35 crash before this one occurred on September 17, 2023, when a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B crashed in South Carolina after the pilot ejected due to a flight control malfunction. That incident gained widespread attention because the aircraft continued flying on autopilot for nearly 60 miles before crashing in a remote area. Other notable crashes include the December 1, 2022, crash in Texas, where an F-35B suffered an issue during a vertical landing test, and the October 19, 2022, crash in Utah, where an F-35A crashed after pilot disorientation led to a loss of control.
Despite these incidents, the F-35 program remains the most widely adopted fifth-generation fighter aircraft worldwide. The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, along with international operators like the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Italy, and Israel, continue to expand their fleets, reaffirming confidence in the aircraft’s combat effectiveness and safety record. The latest crash at Eielson AFB is unlikely to impact long-term operations, but it serves as a reminder of the inherent risks of high-performance military aviation and the continuous efforts to improve flight safety across the F-35 fleet.
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An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet assigned to the U.S. Air Force 354th Fighter Wing crashed within the perimeter of Eielson U.S. Air Force Base, Alaska, on January 28, 2025. The incident occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time during a routine training mission. The pilot successfully ejected and was transported to Bassett Army Hospital, where he is reportedly in stable condition. Emergency response teams arrived at the scene quickly, and the U.S. Air Force launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An F-35A from the 354th Fighter Wing crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, with the pilot ejecting safely and in stable condition. (Picture source: Video footage from Social Network)
Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the U.S. Air Force 354th Fighter Wing, emphasized that the safety of personnel remains a top priority. He reassured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify the factors behind the crash and to implement measures that would help prevent future incidents. Authorities have also urged local residents and travelers not to stop along the Richardson Highway near Eielson AFB, as this could pose safety risks and hinder recovery efforts. Federal law prohibits photography in the area.
This latest crash adds to a series of 15 recorded incidents involving the F-35 since its introduction. The F-35 program, one of the most advanced fighter aircraft programs in the world, has now delivered nearly 1,100 aircraft to multiple operators, including the United States, NATO allies, and partner nations. Despite these incidents, the F-35 remains one of the safest fighter aircraft in modern air combat, thanks to its advanced pilot protection systems.
Since its operational deployment, the F-35 Lightning II program has recorded 15 crashes, with incidents occurring across multiple countries and military branches. The first major event happened on June 23, 2014, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, when an F-35A suffered an engine fire during takeoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff and evacuated safely, leading to a temporary grounding of the fleet. On September 28, 2018, an F-35B crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely, and the crash was later attributed to a faulty fuel tube.
On April 9, 2019, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A disappeared from radar over the Pacific Ocean off Aomori Prefecture, Japan, during a routine training mission. The wreckage was later found, and investigators determined that the pilot likely suffered from spatial disorientation before impact. Another F-35A crash occurred on May 19, 2020, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, when the aircraft crashed upon landing after a training mission. The pilot successfully ejected, and the investigation cited pilot error and system malfunctions as contributing factors.
On September 29, 2020, an F-35B from the United States Marine Corps was involved in a mid-air collision with a KC-130 tanker during air-to-air refueling over Imperial County, California. The pilot ejected safely, while the KC-130 crash-landed in a field with all crew members surviving. The Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) also experienced an incident on November 17, 2021, when an F-35B operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. The pilot ejected safely, and the aircraft was later recovered from the seabed.
Another F-35A incident occurred on January 4, 2022, when a South Korean Air Force F-35A made an emergency belly landing at Seosan Air Base following an avionics system failure. The pilot emerged uninjured. On December 1, 2022, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B crashed during a vertical landing test at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. The pilot ejected safely, and initial reports pointed to an automated flight control issue.
More recently, on September 17, 2023, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B went missing after the pilot ejected due to a flight control malfunction near North Charleston, South Carolina. The aircraft, still on autopilot, continued flying for nearly 60 miles before crashing in a remote area. The most recent crash before the latest one in Alaska occurred in May 2024, near Clovis, New Mexico, where an F-35A crashed after a refueling stop while en route to Edwards Air Force Base. The pilot sustained serious injuries.
The most recent F-35A crash occurred on January 28, 2025, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, marking the 15th recorded crash in the program’s history. During a routine training mission, the pilot experienced an in-flight malfunction, declared an emergency, and ejected safely before the aircraft crashed during the landing phase. This incident adds to the growing list of F-35 crashes worldwide, though the aircraft continues to demonstrate high operational reliability, with nearly 1,000 aircraft delivered to date. Each crash undergoes a thorough investigation, leading to safety improvements and operational refinements to enhance pilot survivability and aircraft performance.
A key factor in ensuring pilot survivability is the Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat, designed to provide safe ejection at various altitudes and speeds. The aircraft also features an advanced Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), which enhances situational awareness and reduces the risk of pilot disorientation, a factor in previous crashes. Additionally, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) has been credited with preventing multiple accidents by automatically correcting flight paths to avoid terrain collisions. The F-35’s structural integrity, fire suppression systems, and redundant flight controls further enhance pilot safety, ensuring that even in the event of a crash, pilots have the highest chance of survival.
The Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where the crash occurred, plays a strategic role in U.S. and allied military operations, particularly in Indo-Pacific air defense and Arctic security. The base was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35A aircraft, making it a key hub for fifth-generation fighter operations in the region. The F-35A Lightning II, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, is known for its stealth capabilities, advanced sensor fusion, and networked combat systems, making it a critical asset in modern air warfare.
While the F-35 program has faced technical challenges and occasional accidents, it continues to evolve with software upgrades, avionics improvements, and enhanced pilot training. Each crash is followed by a detailed investigation to improve safety protocols and address any mechanical or pilot-related issues. The findings from the Eielson AFB crash will contribute to further improvements in operational readiness and flight safety.
The most recent F-35 crash before this one occurred on September 17, 2023, when a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B crashed in South Carolina after the pilot ejected due to a flight control malfunction. That incident gained widespread attention because the aircraft continued flying on autopilot for nearly 60 miles before crashing in a remote area. Other notable crashes include the December 1, 2022, crash in Texas, where an F-35B suffered an issue during a vertical landing test, and the October 19, 2022, crash in Utah, where an F-35A crashed after pilot disorientation led to a loss of control.
Despite these incidents, the F-35 program remains the most widely adopted fifth-generation fighter aircraft worldwide. The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, along with international operators like the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Italy, and Israel, continue to expand their fleets, reaffirming confidence in the aircraft’s combat effectiveness and safety record. The latest crash at Eielson AFB is unlikely to impact long-term operations, but it serves as a reminder of the inherent risks of high-performance military aviation and the continuous efforts to improve flight safety across the F-35 fleet.
