An Air Force investigation has determined that the crash of a U.S. Air Force F-35A at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, was caused by hydraulic fluid freezing and rupturing lines in the frigid -18°C temperatures.
The report, released on August 26, 2025, stated that the aircraft (tail number 19-5535) developed issues right after takeoff. Investigators found that water contamination in the nose and right landing gear’s hydraulic systems, along with improper servicing procedures, were significant contributing factors to the failure.
In a dramatic effort to save the jet, the pilot spent nearly 50 minutes on a conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers to troubleshoot the problem. However, they were unable to find a fix to land the aircraft safely. The pilot ultimately ejected without injury, and the aircraft crashed within the perimeter of the air base.
