Several hours after first reports appeared of an aircraft crash Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, video footage has emerged of an F-35B experiencing a malfunction during a vertical landing.
The F-35B variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is capable of taking off and landing vertically, but on this maneuver, the jet appears to experience a malfunction with its thrusters.
The mishap took place on December 15, around 10:15 AM local time. According to video footage, the pilot ejected from just as the aircraft was about to come to a stop. It is yet unclear whether he sustained injuries in the ejection.
The Pentagon’s Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters in a regular press briefing that the F-35B involved in the mishap was Lockheed Martin-owned, but flown by a US military pilot.
#Breaking New much clearer video, courtesy Kitt Wilder, of STOL variant F35 B model landing JRB Fort Worth, and pilot ejects. Condition of pilot still unknown. @CBSDFW pic.twitter.com/BeERIeyhtO
— Doug Dunbar (@cbs11doug) December 15, 2022
It is worth pointing out that Fort Worth is home to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility and the company has access to the runway used by US military aircraft. Whether the F-35 involved in the mishap was destined for the US or another international F-35B customer, is also unclear.
