US F-35 Crashes on Runway and Bursts into Flames
An F-35 fighter jet went down at Eielson Air Force Base, located near Fairbanks, Alaska, at approximately 1 PM on Tuesday. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A dramatic video depicts an F-35 fighter jet plummeting from the sky at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, around 1 p.m. on Tuesday. According to local authorities, the crash resulted in “significant damage” to the aircraft; however, the footage suggests the jet was entirely destroyed upon impact with the runway.
Fortunately, the pilot was unharmed and was taken to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation. The crash occurred within the base's perimeter, prompting a swift response from emergency services, including ambulances and fire trucks. The affected runway area has been secured, and an investigation is currently in progress.
The video, reportedly filmed by base personnel and shared online, shows the pilot safely descending by parachute as the jet falls.
“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security,” stated Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.
In response to the incident, the Air Force has initiated a thorough investigation. Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet commented to the Associated Press, “It’s still under investigation, so they’re trying to confirm all the details.”
Eielson Air Force Base, located about 25 miles south of Fairbanks, was chosen in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, leading to significant expansion of the facility. Its strategic location enables fighter jets to reach any destination in the northern hemisphere in a single sortie.
This incident adds to a series of F-35 events in recent years, including a crash in May 2024 during a flight from Texas to California and an October 2023 occurrence where a pilot ejected unnecessarily, allowing the aircraft to fly unmanned before crashing in South Carolina.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Fortunately, the pilot was unharmed and was taken to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation. The crash occurred within the base's perimeter, prompting a swift response from emergency services, including ambulances and fire trucks. The affected runway area has been secured, and an investigation is currently in progress.
The video, reportedly filmed by base personnel and shared online, shows the pilot safely descending by parachute as the jet falls.
“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security,” stated Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.
In response to the incident, the Air Force has initiated a thorough investigation. Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet commented to the Associated Press, “It’s still under investigation, so they’re trying to confirm all the details.”
Eielson Air Force Base, located about 25 miles south of Fairbanks, was chosen in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, leading to significant expansion of the facility. Its strategic location enables fighter jets to reach any destination in the northern hemisphere in a single sortie.
This incident adds to a series of F-35 events in recent years, including a crash in May 2024 during a flight from Texas to California and an October 2023 occurrence where a pilot ejected unnecessarily, allowing the aircraft to fly unmanned before crashing in South Carolina.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
