America lost the first F-35 carrier-based fighter. Yesterday, January 25, the US Navy press service reported that one of the aircraft of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) wing was lost during training flights.
The accident occurred at the time of landing of the F-35C on the USS Carl Vinson. Details of the incident are not disclosed, while it is indicated that the fighter touched the flight control point and fell into the sea. The pilot managed to eject. Seven people were injured in the accident. Four of them received medical care on the spot, and three, including the fighter pilot, were taken to a hospital in Manila (Philippines).
F-35C fighter jet on the USS Carl Vinson
Image source: navy.mil
The aircraft carrier's equipment was not damaged, and the aircraft wing of the ship continued flight operations together with the aircraft wing of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Both ships are currently in the South China Sea, where large-scale exercises are taking place.
US Navy exercises in the South China Sea
In November last year, the British F-35B fell from the deck of the aircraft carrier Elizabeth during takeoff. Later, the plane was lifted from the seabed.
