Air Force Launches Investigation Following F-35 Crash in Alaska

An F-35A Lightning II takes off for routine training on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, December 18, 2023. [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

A U.S. Air Force pilot is safe after ejecting from an F-35 Lightning II that crashed while landing during a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on Tuesday.

According to Air Force officials, the pilot reported an in-flight emergency during the landing sequence and ejected to safety. The accident occurred at 12:49 p.m. AKST within the fence line of the base, which is located approximately 25 miles south of Fairbanks.

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The pilot was taken to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation and was listed in stable condition, however details of injuries were not released.

Video of the crash quickly went viral, showing the aircraft over the air base tumbling to the ground from low altitude. The aircraft exploded on impact, sending up a large column of black smoke.

The crash did "significant damage" to the fighter jet, an Air Force official told reporters.

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“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security,” Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said in a statement. “I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.”

Alaska F-35 Military Aviation U.S. Air Force

Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.