A dramatic incident unfolded in Alaska when a US Air Force F-35 fighter jet suffered a technical fault mid-air, leaving the pilot battling against the odds for nearly an hour before ejecting to safety.
❄ A Jet Frozen in the Sky
According to reports, ice had formed in the fighter’s hydraulic lines and landing gear, making the aircraft nearly impossible to control. The issue began when the landing gear failed to retract after takeoff. Despite repeated attempts, the system locked in the wrong direction, simulating as if the aircraft was grounded — even while it was flying.
📞 50 Minutes of Desperation
The pilot, realizing the critical nature of the fault, contacted five Lockheed Martin engineers by phone while still in the air. For almost 50 minutes, they brainstormed solutions in real-time, but the jet refused to respond.
⚠ Final Moments Before the Crash
In a desperate attempt, the pilot tried two emergency landings using “touch and go” maneuvers, but the frozen gear refused to straighten. Soon after, the jet’s sensors triggered a warning, indicating total loss of control. With no other option left, the pilot ejected just in time.
Seconds later, the F-35 plummeted to the runway and exploded into a massive fireball. Images of the fiery wreckage quickly went viral on social media.
🔎 What Caused the Crash?
A preliminary inspection revealed water contamination in one-third of the hydraulic fluid, which froze under the sub-zero conditions. This hydraulic icing issue was reported again nine days later at the same base, though another jet managed to land safely that time.
The incident occurred in –18°C temperatures, raising serious concerns about the F-35’s performance in extreme weather.
💰 A Costly Fall from the Sky
The Lockheed Martin F-35 has long been criticized for its rapid production, complex systems, and sky-high costs. In 2021, a single jet cost around $135.8 million, though prices dropped to about $81 million by 2024 after Pentagon negotiations. Despite cost cuts, the latest crash highlights persistent reliability concerns with the world’s most advanced — yet controversial — fighter jet.
