EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Pacific Air Forces has released the Accident Investigation Board report for the F-35A Lightning II mishap that occurred on January 28, 2025, at Eielson Air Force Base. The incident involved an F-35A from the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Wing.
The investigation determined the aircraft’s nose landing gear did not retract properly due to hydraulic fluid contaminated with water freezing. After running multiple checklists and a conference call with engineers, the pilot’s attempts to center the nose landing gear failed. During those attempts, ice formed inside the main landing gear struts, and they did not fully extend causing all valid Weight on Wheels sensors to indicate the aircraft was on the ground. The aircraft transitioned to “on ground” flight control law, despite being airborne, and became uncontrollable. The pilot successfully ejected, and emergency responders were at the scene within a minute.
The pilot suffered minor injuries related to the ejection. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with a total loss valued at $196.5 million.
The board concluded the mishap was caused by hydraulic fluid contaminated by water that froze in the nose landing gear and main landing gear struts.
The report can be read here.
For more information or updates, refer to our official wing Facebook page. For inquiries, media agencies can contact the 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at (907) 377-2116 or via email at 354fw.pa.publicaffairs@us.af.mil.