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4h ago

Air Force Investigation Blames Frozen, Contaminated Hydraulic Fluid for Alaska F-35A Crash

The findings flag a cold‑weather maintenance vulnerability with implications for F‑35 operations.

Aircraft assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron taxi during exercises at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II, assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, takes off during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 22, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julia Lebens)
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Overview

  • PACAF investigators say water-laden hydraulic fluid froze in the landing‑gear struts, produced false weight‑on‑wheels signals, forced a switch to ground control laws in flight, and left the jet uncontrollable.
  • Testing showed roughly 30% water in the landing‑gear hydraulics and particulate contamination above limits in both the supply barrel and the servicing cart.
  • The report cites unsecured fluid barrels, unsupervised servicing, a pump without thread sealer, inadequate line flushing, and short staffing without a dedicated HAZMAT manager.
  • The pilot circled for about 50 minutes while consulting Lockheed Martin engineers, performed two touch‑and‑go attempts, and the AIB later said a planned full‑stop landing or controlled ejection would have been the safer choice.
  • The pilot ejected with minor injuries and the aircraft, valued at about $196.5–$197 million, was destroyed, while a similar Feb. 6 malfunction linked to frozen contaminated fluid ended safely.