F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes During Training in Alaska, Pilot Ejects Safely

The advanced aircraft suffered an in-flight malfunction, resulting in significant damage, while the pilot was transported to a hospital in stable condition.

The crash occurred at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, during a training mission on Tuesday afternoon.
The pilot declared an in-flight emergency before safely ejecting and was later evaluated at Bassett Army Hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
The F-35, valued between $80 million and $135 million depending on the model, was heavily damaged after spiraling to the ground and erupting into flames upon impact.
The incident is under investigation by the U.S. Air Force, with officials aiming to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The F-35 program, one of the most expensive U.S. defense initiatives, has faced scrutiny over its cost and recent accidents, including two crashes in 2023 and 2024.