F-35 fighter jet crashed due to mechanical failure due to ice accumulation

A state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jet of the United States has finally crashed after being in contact with engineers for almost an hour in the sky. The crash happened on January 28, near Eelson Air Force Base, Alaska. Fortunately the pilot was able to escape safely using the parachute in time.

In a video posted on social media, the fighter jet quickly descended towards the runway and burst into flames shortly after hitting the ground.

How did the accident happen?

CNN reported that the plane's nose and main landing gear hydraulic lines had frozen. As a result, the landing gear could not be retracted after takeoff. It also did not work properly during landing.

In this situation, the pilot was in a conference call with five engineers from Lockheed Martin for about 50 minutes. On their advice, a 'touch and go' landing was attempted twice but the problem was not resolved. Eventually the plane lost control when the sensors started giving wrong signals. At the last minute, the pilot ejected and saved his life.

Investigation Information

Subsequent investigation revealed that one-third of the fluid in the hydraulic system of the aircraft's nose and right side landing gear was actually water. In severe winter (temperature was minus 18.33 degree Celsius) it turns into ice and causes major defects.

Just nine days after the incident, another F-35 at the same base developed the same problem, although it was able to land safely.

According to the investigation report, the pilot's decision, engineer's instructions and hazardous materials handling errors were responsible for the accident, along with mechanical weaknesses.

Source: New York Post