Aircraft Accident: Eielson Base Witnesses F-35 Fighter Jet's Hard Landing, Pilot Survives
F-35 Crashes at Eielson Air Force Base: The Unfolding Drama
On a chilly January day in Alaska, an F-35 went down at Eielson Air Force Base, causing quite a spectacle. Videos circulating online show the fighter jet tumbling to the ground, with the pilot safely parachuting to the ground nearby.
The incident occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time, leaving the aircraft in ruin according to a statement from the 354th Fighter Wing based at Eielson. The pilot, fortunately, was safe and transported to the nearby Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation.
A second statement released the next day provided more insights: the pilot was preparing for a landing during a training flight when an in-flight emergency occurred, prompting the pilot to eject. By Jan. 29, the pilot had been discharged from the hospital.
An authentic video of the crash made its way to unofficial Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco later in the day. The footage reveals an F-35 with extended landing gear veering wingtip over wingtip towards a fiery impact. A silhouette under a parachute, presumably the pilot, can be spotted drifting away.
A base spokesperson confirmed to Air & Space Forces Magazine that the video is authentic and involved an F-35 assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing. initial reports did not confirm whether the pilot was unscathed.
Wing commander Col. Paul Townsend expressed concern for their "people, our most important resource," stating a commitment to ensuring their safety and security. The U.S. Air Force pledged to carry out a comprehensive investigation to minimize future occurrences of similar incidents.
Intriguingly, KC-135 tankers, presumed to be from the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing, were observed parked in the foreground of the video. A recording posted on X seems to feature audio from air traffic control just before the crash, but the wing spokesperson could not immediately verify its authenticity.
The crash at Eielson Air Force Base marks the first significant Air Force aircraft mishap of 2025. It follows roughly seven weeks after an MQ-9 Reaper was inadvertently shot down over Syria by U.S.-allied forces.
In May, another F-35, also based at Eielson Air Force Base, encountered trouble. During a training exercise, the aircraft reportedly experienced an in-flight malfunction. The pilot ejected safely but sustained serious injuries.
While the cause of the Eielson January 28 crash remains unclear at this point, official investigations or reports from the U.S. Air Force would be essential to unravel the mystery.
The U.S. Air Force might consider expanding their safety measures to include the Space Force, given the frequent in-flight emergencies involving aircraft like the F-35. In the realm of sports, the unexpected crashes could be compared to a football player slipping during a game, highlighting the need for safety measures in all industries. The Air Force's investigation into the Eielson incident might also consider the potential impact on the space security, as advancements in space travel and defense could involve aircraft similar to the F-35.
