Fortunately, the F-35 plane’s pilot safely made an emergency exit, however, it is somewhat puzzling that the most sophisticated fighter jet in the world has not been located. The aircraft is thought to have crashed, and the US military is asking for assistance in finding it.
The strange incidents happened on Sunday north of Charleston, South Carolina when a Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 pilot ejected from their aircraft, specifically an F-35B Lightning II.
The Marine Corps declined to say in a statement to NPR if the jet’s transponder was on or whether it was equipped with weapons.
The’mishap’ alert was sent out on Sunday afternoon.
Joint Base Charleston released a statement on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET saying, “The pilot evacuated safely and was taken to a local medical facility in stable condition.
The Navy, FAA, Civil Air Patrol, and other local and state police agencies are assisting emergency teams in their search for the fighter plane, according to a Monday statement from the base. “Integrated teams are searching and getting ready for the recovery of the jet,” it was said.
Additionally, the base is requesting that members of the public contact them if they have seen the plane or possess any knowledge that can help in its recovery. The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is where the fighter jet is stationed. It originates from a squadron whose goal is to train F-35 support workers and pilots. Additionally, it participates in airshow performances.
According to the FAA and the last-known location of the jet, Joint Base Charleston is concentrating its search efforts north of the base, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. The military believes the plane did not continue to fly for very long after the pilot evacuated because the two lakes are close to one another and are situated around halfway between Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina.
What prompted the pilot to walk away from the plane is still unknown. The apparent accident, according to the Marines and others participating in the hunt, was a “mishap” that is still being investigated.
Monday has seen a lack of fresh information. As of 1:30 p.m., search and recovery activities were still continuing strong, according to Maj. Melanie Salinas, director of communications for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, who spoke to NPR.
According to Salinas, “the incident is currently being investigated.” We are unable to offer further specifics to maintain the integrity of the investigative process, she continued, citing protocols.
In 2018, an F-35 crashed in South Carolina
A Marine Corps F-35B collision in South Carolina occurred about five years prior to the most recent incident. In the event from September 2018, the pilot was likewise able to safely eject and land.
An inspection of the whole fleet of F-35 fighter jets owned by the United States and its allies was ordered after the 2018 crash, which was attributed to a malfunctioning fuel tube in the fighter. Crews checked to make sure the defective tube wasn’t in the fuel systems of the aircraft before returning them to service.
Last October, an Air Force F-35A crashed in Utah due to flight control computer system confusion brought on by turbulence from the wake of another F-35A. The low altitude and airspeed of the aircraft prevented the pilot from regaining control, forcing him to eject, according to the Air Force.
Another F-35 model, an F-35A flown by Japan, crashed in 2019. After the pilot lost his bearings, it was discovered that human error was to blame for the catastrophe.
According to recent sources, the cost of an F-35B like the one lost in South Carolina is currently around $80 million.
The F-35 was developed over a period of 20 years, which increased its price. The cost of the Marine version of the jet reached $160 million ten years ago when a sizable manufacturing line was being constructed to eventually start making it. Lockheed Martin, its primary defense contractor, expected that when more fighters were produced, the price would decrease.