F-35 pilot held 50-minute airborne conference call with engineers before fighter jet crashed in Alaska

In a dramatic incident, a US Air Force F-35 pilot conducted a 50-minute conference call with engineers mid-flight before being forced to eject as the fighter jet crashed due to landing gear failure caused by frozen hydraulic fluid. The crash occurred on January 28, 2025, at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, during a training exercise. The pilot successfully ejected with minor injuries, and the aircraft was completely destroyed. According to the accident investigation report released this week, the cause was hydraulic fluid contaminated with water, which froze in the extreme cold of -1°F, preventing the landing gear from deploying properly. After takeoff, the pilot noticed the landing gear issue and attempted to retract and lower it, but it remained jammed at a left angle. This triggered a response where the jet’s sensors incorrectly indicated it was on the ground. The pilot initiated a conference call with five Lockheed Martin engineers, and the aircraft circled for approximately 50 minutes while they developed a plan. The engineers advised attempting touch-and-go landings to center the nose gear. Two touch-and-go attempts were made, but both failed, and the landing gears froze up completely. The Weight on Wheels sensors then falsely confirmed the aircraft was on the ground, making it uncontrollable in the air. The pilot ejected at the last moment, and the jet crashed, bursting into flames. Emergency responders were on the scene quickly, and the debris was contained within the airfield. The report highlighted contributing factors, including crew decision-making during the call, lack of oversight in the hazardous materials program, and poor maintenance procedures that led to the fluid contamination. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about the F-35 program, with criticisms about its complexity and cost, and calls for improved safety standards in military aviation.