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A dramatic video shows the jet plummeting from the sky as its ejected pilot descends to safety
An F-35 fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, at around 1pm on Tuesday, causing “significant damage” to the aircraft according to local authorities. However, a video circulating online suggests the jet was completely destroyed as it slammed into the runway.
The pilot was unharmed and was transported to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation. The crash occurred within the base’s perimeter, and emergency services, including ambulances and fire trucks, responded quickly. The affected area of the runway has been secured, and an investigation is underway.
A dramatic video, apparently filmed by base personnel and leaked online, shows the jet plummeting from the sky while the pilot safely descends by parachute.
“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security,” said Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.
The Air Force has launched a thorough investigation into the crash. “It’s still under investigation, so they’re trying to confirm all the details,” Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet told the Associated Press.
Eielson Air Force Base, located approximately 25 miles south of Fairbanks, was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, leading to a significant expansion of the facility. The base’s strategic location allows fighter jets to reach anywhere in the northern hemisphere in a single sortie.
This incident follows other F-35 incidents in recent years, including a crash in May 2024 during a flight from Texas to California, and an October 2023 incident where a pilot ejected unnecessarily, leaving the aircraft to fly unmanned before crashing in South Carolina.
