NWF Daily News reports an F-35 was spotted nose-down on the runway by a passing motorist Wednesday afternoon. It experienced an in-flight emergency, according to a press release from the 33rd Fighter Wing.
The pilot returned to Eglin Air Force Base and landed safely. The front nose gear collapsed after the plane was parked, the press release said.
Firefighters responded immediately and also could be seen by passing motorists.
The pilot was not injured.
The extent of damage to the F-35A Lightning II was not immediately available.
Apologize for the picture quality- no doubt taken from a cell phone- but that’s what was available. Glad the pilot was unhurt, and I’m sure the damage will buff right out.
Or not.
Somebody got some splayneen to do.
#FLIPL time
“Where’s this pin go?”
I imagine the tiniest scratch on that thing is going to bring with it a heft fee to fix.
Hefty, that is.
That’s what I was thinking. It hits the ground and boom, $24m in damage.
Wonder what the insurance repair deductible is on that puppy?
It would be a Geico commercial.
Are they going to sell that plane as surplus now?
Not to worry – just throw another billion dollars at it…….
I want the Bondo, paint and very fine crocus cloth concession.
Umpty-ump zillion bucks for the airplane and landing gear (around since what, the ’30’s? breaks?
Ain’t ‘nuthin a little 550 cord and some 100 MPH tape won’t fix…
JB Weld and add some hydraulic fluid. $ 20 mil plus labor.
Earl Shibe will paint it any color for $19.95
“Uh-oh, better call Maaco!”, remember that TV ad?
No inexpensive repair here.
If I recall correctly, an F-22 or F-35 got a scratch on the rudder – like a scratch not a gouge or anything “serious” – and it cost somewhere around $1 million dollars.
“Wanna get away?” – Southwest Airlines
https://www.facebook.com/33FighterWing/photos/a.207758165932500/2220168221358141/?type=3&theater