AirAmericas

USAF F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in Alaska, Terrifying Moment Caught on Video

A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on Tuesday, but the pilot miraculously survived.

Dramatic footage of the incident quickly surfaced on social media, showing the fifth-generation aircraft tumbling vertically before exploding upon impact.

A statement from the base later confirmed the crash.

“An aircraft incident occurred this afternoon resulting in significant aircraft damage at 12:49 pm,” the statement read. “The impact site is on base within the fence line of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.”

The pilot ejected safely before the crash and was taken to Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the crash site immediately.

Eielson Air Force Base is home to about 50 F-35 fighter jets and plays a crucial role in safeguarding US interests in the Arctic.

Crashes Over the Years

Since entering service nearly two decades ago, the F-35 has been involved in at least 20 crashes, some of which were fatal.

In May 2024, a Lightning II jet crashed near Albuquerque International Airport in New Mexico, seriously injuring its pilot. The aircraft was en route to Edwards Air Force Base in South Carolina when the incident occurred.

In another case, an F-35 operated by the US Marine Corps was completely destroyed during a training exercise in South Carolina. Investigators found that an electrical malfunction caused multiple critical systems to fail, including the radios, transponder, and navigation systems.

‘Outdated and Inefficient’

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 is a stealth fighter equipped with advanced technology, including sophisticated electronic sensors and targeting systems.

It is designed for air superiority, air defense, ground attack, and aerial reconnaissance.

Despite its advanced features, the F-35 has faced criticism from figures like Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump.

Musk has described the aircraft as “inefficient” and “outdated,” even calling its developers “idiots” for prioritizing manned jets over uncrewed platforms.

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