A U.S. Air Force pilot is recovering after safely ejecting from an F-35 fighter jet that crashed during a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The crash occurred Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 12:49 p.m. local time as the aircraft attempted to land.
Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said the pilot declared an in-flight emergency before ejecting. The pilot was taken to Bassett Army Hospital in stable condition for further evaluation.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Crash captured on video
Video of the incident shows the Lockheed Martin-built F-35 descending rapidly, spinning downward with its landing gear extended before hitting the ground and erupting into flames. The footage also captured the pilot’s parachute deploying moments before impact.
Officials confirmed that the crash caused significant damage to the aircraft, which is estimated to cost around $80 million.
Townsend urged against early speculation and said investigators are working to determine what caused the malfunction.
Eielson Air Force Base: A strategic hub for F-35s
Eielson Air Force Base, located about 25 miles south of Fairbanks, houses more than 50 F-35s, making it one of the largest concentrations of these advanced fighter jets in the U.S. military.
In recent years, the base underwent a $500 million expansion to accommodate the aircraft, bringing thousands of personnel and upgraded infrastructure.
The F-35 is a key component of U.S. air power, used by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Known for its stealth capabilities, advanced sensors and multi-role combat abilities, the aircraft plays a crucial role in military operations. However, despite its cutting-edge technology, the jet has been involved in several crashes in recent months.
Concerns grow over recent F-35 incidents
Tuesday’s crash in Alaska is the latest in a series of F-35 incidents, raising concerns about the jet’s reliability.
In May, an F-35 crashed in New Mexico after stopping to refuel en route from Texas to Edwards Air Force Base in California. The pilot survived but suffered serious injuries.
In October, a Marine Corps investigation found that a pilot ejected unnecessarily from an F-35 over South Carolina in 2023, leaving the jet to fly on its own for 11 minutes before crashing.
Air Force launches investigation
The Air Force launched a formal investigation into the latest crash.
Townsend emphasized that the goal is to determine the cause of the malfunction and prevent future incidents. He reassured that pilot safety remains a top priority.
For now, Eielson officials urge the public to avoid the crash site to allow recovery teams to work. Federal law also prohibits photography near the base.
Officials said more details will be released as the investigation continues.
