Key Takeaways:

• A U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, after the pilot safely ejected.
• The incident occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time during a training exercise due to an inflight malfunction.
• The pilot is reported to be in stable condition after being transported to Bassett Army Hospital.
• Officials are conducting a thorough investigation into the accident, which has caused significant damage to the aircraft.

A U.S. Air Force pilot managed to eject safely from an F-35 fighter jet which crashed on Tuesday during a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The incident occurred at approximately 12:49 p.m. local time, and initial reports indicate it was triggered by an “inflight malfunction.” Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, confirmed that the pilot had declared an emergency prior to the crash and was safely transported to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation.

Video footage circulating online shows the F-35 spiraling towards the ground before erupting in flames upon impact. This crash marks a troubling continuation of challenges for the F-35 program, having been the 11th such mishap since 2018. According to AP News, the cost of each F-35 is approximately $135 million.

Colonel Townsend emphasized the importance of the safety of personnel, stating, “Our people are our most important resource... we are committed to ensuring their safety and security.” An investigation into the crash will be conducted by the U.S. Air Force to understand better the circumstances and prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. Subsequently, Eielson Air Force Base was selected back in 2016 to host up to 54 F-35s, a major development that involved over $500 million in expansion to accommodate the aircraft and personnel.

This incident comes in light of previous F-35 accidents, including one last year where a pilot was injured after ejecting from an F-35 during its approach to land in New Mexico. The Hill reported that the ongoing challenges with the F-35 fleet continue to draw scrutiny and concern as investigations into malfunctions persist.

For further details, refer to the original reports from ABC News, Newsweek, and USA Today.