In most instances, when people are asked to visualize the F-35A Lightning II, they picture the capabilities of the aircraft in the field, ranging from its high-speed stealth mission, very complex avionics, to detailed and precise combat. Seldom do they relate and see the fighter dealing with something as simple, though still very dangerous, as ice formation on the landing gear. However, that was simply the cause, which almost led to the crash of a $196.5 million fighter at Alaska’s Eielson Air Force Base, a sobering reminder that in aviation, even minor mishaps can cause gigantic results.
It was January 28, 2025, when an aircraft belonging to the 355th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Wing was to undertake a no-brainer training exercise. The pilot who had enjoyed the benefits of the exercise for A-10s and F-35s with a total of hundreds of flight hours was supposed to have a typical day with a straightforward flight. Very cold conditions—temperatures just 1 degree below zero—and idling the engine on the ground for a long time of 40 minutes created a hazardous mix.
The nose gear of the plane, shortly after the takeoff, did not retract as expected, and therefore, the pilot, in his attempt to extend it again, the wheel got stuck in a way that seemed uncomfortable. In such a case that a quick landing on the arresting gear is the only solution, then it becomes a source of a big problem, especially if the wheel is in such a position.
The pilot and his wingman decided to stay for the next hour at 9,500 feet altitude and thus were able to perform emergency procedures while working hand-in-hand with five engineers from Lockheed Martin who were on the ground. Among the team were the specialists for the landing gear, software experts, and safety engineers. Landing gear was the problem, and the answer was they have to find a way to put the gear back in the right position and land the plane securely together.
They found out that the hydraulic fluid that was going to pollute and control the landing gear was the problem. Water made up nearly 30 percent of the fluid that was responsible for the landing gear, and this water froze in the subzero temperatures, causing the struts to freeze, thus they cannot move the gear in the right way. Effectively, the airplane was in a precarious “midway” position.
Besides the problem of the stuck landing gear, the automatic system of the F-35 was adding to the bad situation. The sensors of Weight on Wheels are meant to register the status of the aircraft, whether it is in the air or on the ground. With the sensors giving the wrong information, the flight control system was misled to think that the plane was already on the runway. Hence, the software went on switch into “ground mode,” which was a further operation that bypassed pilot commands, and thus, gunfire and shaking occurred.
Two trials of the pilot for quick landings, during which he was aiming at freeing the nose gear, failed. Most of the computer was tricked completely when the left main gear froze on the second try. The loss of control happened at 372 feet above the runway. Just at this moment, the pilot decided to eject. The F-35 that had been released from the pilot’s control continued for 3,000 feet before it went into a stall and crashed in a tremendous fireball, which was later captured in pictures by many.
They dug deeper into the maintenance problems. Hydraulic fluid drums were reported with twice more water and solids than the allowed limit, pumps that were exposed, equipment that was uncovered, and a hazardous material supervisor who was not qualified and was overseeing the operation were some of the maintenance problems reported. The investigation discovered that with less discipline in the maintenance routines, the problem was not just an isolated one.
Moreover, a past Lockheed Martin caution about the cold weather dangers for the F-35’s Weight on Wheels sensors that had been unheeded was the icing on the cake. The crew would have maybe gone for a safer landing or even a preemptive ejection that would have avoided the crash if only it had been noted.
This event is just a demonstration of the severity of nature. A minor mistake in the maintenance turned into a life-and-death situation in Alaska’s freezing temperatures. It also tells us that even the most sophisticated technology is not immune to being deceived by something as simple as ice forming in the hydraulics. Beyond all the high-tech systems, it is still a reminder of careful maintenance, proper storage, and diligent oversight.
The lesson is universal. F-35-equipped air forces that operate in icy or snowy conditions must pay close attention to maintenance practices, the reliability of sensors, and emergency procedures. Despite this being the very first incident of its kind, the investigators are aware that another occurrence is likely unless the root causes are fully tackled. Sometimes, one tiny error – a bit of water in the wrong place – can turn the whole situation upside down.