An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet crashed on Tuesday afternoon during a scheduled training mission at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The incident occurred at approximately 12:49 p.m. local time, resulting in a large fireball and extensive debris near the runway area.
The pilot, who declared an in-flight emergency before the crash, ejected safely and was transported to Bassett Army Community Hospital for evaluation.
Verified video footage circulating online shows the F-35 spinning toward the ground with its landing gear extended before crashing onto the runway. Nearby, a parachute is visible.
Longer Footage of the F-35A Crash earlier today at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. pic.twitter.com/9OPksbTYWj
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 29, 2025
Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said the pilot experienced an “in-flight malfunction” during the landing phase. He assured that a full investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the crash.
“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed [to] ensuring their safety and security,” said Townsend. “I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation in hopes to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.”
The Joint Program Office (JPO), responsible for overseeing the F-35 fleet, said it would assist in the investigation. Russell Goemaere, a spokesperson for the JPO, emphasized the program’s commitment to ensuring pilot safety.
The Air Force has not yet released details regarding the specific nature of the malfunction.
Eielson AFB, located approximately 25 miles south of Fairbanks, houses a fleet of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters as part of the Air Force’s expansion of its Arctic defense capabilities.
The incident marks the first F-35 crash in 2025. In recent years, several F-35 mishaps have raised concerns about operational safety.
In May 2024, an F-35B crashed in New Mexico during a refueling stop en route to Edwards Air Force Base, leaving the pilot with serious injuries. In September 2023, a Marine Corps F-35B crashed in South Carolina after the pilot ejected due to an electrical issue.
