F-35 Malfunction forced pilot to eject
By: JAMES POLLARD and TARA COPP, Associated Press
Date: September 19, 2023
In North Charleston, South Carolina, a malfunction prompted the pilot of a $100 million F-35 stealth fighter jet to eject, leading him to parachute safely into a residential backyard. The plane then crashed in a forested area approximately 60 miles distant. The downed aircraft wasn’t located until the following day. The pilot, whose identity hasn’t been released by the Marine Corps, was unharmed and has been released from medical care. The incident occurred soon after the jet took off from Charleston International Airport. Questions arose about the circumstances of the crash of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, with the debris field described as “extensive.” The public was alerted to help locate the stealth aircraft, designed to be hard to detect. Another F-35 returned safely to base the same day. The F-35 series, with its specialized design, is part of the priciest weapon program in the U.S. Department of Defense. Concerns about the jet’s engine and cooling system were highlighted in a recent report. Following this crash, the Marine Corps suspended aviation activities for two days, marking the third major incident in recent weeks. The two prior events included a fatal crash in Australia and another near San Diego.