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Despite all checks, the pilot joined a live call with 5 Lockheed Martin engineers, circling 50 minutes in the air as they tried but failed to fix the landing gear issue
The accident has raised questions about the reliability of high-tech jets like the F-35, which is acclaimed as ‘the world’s most expensive and advanced fighter’. (Representative/PTI)
One of the US Air Force’s most advanced and expensive fighter jets, the F-35, crashed at Alaska’s Eielson Air Force Base in January 2025. The $200 million jet went down despite the pilot reportedly spending nearly 50 minutes in contact with Lockheed Martin engineers, with all troubleshooting attempts failing, according to a CNN report.
What Really Happened
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On the morning of January 28, this $200 million (approximately Rs 1751 crore) jet encountered trouble just minutes after takeoff. The pilots were unable to fully retract the landing gear. Attempts to lower the gear again resulted in the nose gear becoming stuck on the left side and not straightening.
Despite running the system checklist and continued efforts, the pilot then joined a live conference call with five Lockheed Martin engineers, including a senior software engineer, a flight safety engineer, and three landing gear experts. The jet circled in the air for about 50 minutes while the engineers searched for a solution.
How The Jet Spun Out Of Control In The Sky
- During this time, the pilot attempted the ‘touch and go’ manoeuvre twice to straighten the stuck gear, but these efforts backfired as the main landing gear also became jammed and did not fully extend.
- Additionally, the plane’s sensors began to take incorrect data, leading the system to assume the jet was on the ground. Consequently, the control computer switched to ‘automated ground operation mode’, rendering the jet uncontrollable while still in the air.
- As the situation deteriorated, the pilot was forced to eject, escaping safely with minor injuries. The F-35 then swung in the air for a few seconds before crashing to the ground and bursting into flames.
- The investigation revealed that approximately one-third of the hydraulic fluid in the nose and right landing gear system was actually water, which should not have been the case. In cold weather, this water froze, obstructing the gear’s function. At the time of the accident, the temperature in Fairbanks was -1°F.
- Surprisingly, just nine days later, another F-35 at the same base experienced a similar hydraulic icing issue, but managed to land safely.
The Company Had Raised The Alarm Earlier
Lockheed Martin had previously issued a bulletin in April 2024 warning that pilots might struggle to control the aircraft under such conditions. If the engineers had referred to this guideline at the time, the pilot might have been advised to opt for a ‘controlled ejection’ or ‘planned landing’ instead of attempting the touch-and-go manoeuvre.
This accident has raised serious questions about the reliability of high-tech jets like the F-35, which is acclaimed as ‘the world’s most expensive and advanced fighter’. Despite being in contact with engineers for 50 minutes, its system failed to address a relatively small defect. American media has characterised this incident as a ‘technological signature failure’, as an aircraft built with millions of hours and billions of dollars was ultimately defeated by ice in cold air and system error.
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