Mystery Deepens Over Missing F-35 Jet

On Sep 20, 2023

TL/DR –

An F-35 stealth fighter jet went missing for over 24 hours in rural South Carolina, raising questions about the sophisticated warplane’s capabilities. The jet, operated by the Marine Corps and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was part of a routine training flight when the pilot ejected for unknown reasons, leading to suspicions that the aircraft may have been left in autopilot mode. An investigation into the incident, which comes after a similar occurrence last year, is still underway to determine the timeline of events, why the pilot ejected, and why the jet appeared to continue flying undetected.

F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet Mystery Raises Questions for Military Investigators

There’s growing curiosity surrounding an F-35 stealth fighter jet that went missing for over a day in rural South Carolina before its wreckage was found. The inquiry into the high-tech aircraft, which also had a pilot eject in Texas last year, is expected to take some time to establish a timeline of events, including why the pilot ejected and why the jet remained undetected for so long.

When Joint Base Charleston requested public help in locating the plane, it sparked internet memes and surprise at how an aircraft with stealth capabilities could disappear so drastically. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., questioned on social media, “How in the hell do you lose an F-35?”

Investigation Underway

The F-35B Lightning II jet, used by the Marine Corps since 2015 and produced by Lockheed Martin, was involved in a routine training flight on Sunday when one of the pilots ejected. The unidentified pilot was taken to hospital in a stable condition, leading to questions about the jet’s disappearance and a prolonged search. The wreckage was only found on Monday evening, with no other injuries or damage reported.

Reason for Ejection?

While the reason for the pilot’s ejection remains unclear, experts emphasize that such a decision isn’t taken lightly. Dan Grazier, a senior defense policy fellow, highlighted the F-35B’s auto-eject function and pondered whether it may have activated involuntarily. Given the plane’s estimated cost of $140 million, the decision to abandon the aircraft leads to questions about whether mechanical failure, software issues, or pilot error were responsible. Nonetheless, experts are grateful no further injuries occurred.

Issues with Communication

F-35s are typically traceable via transponders, yet officials are unsure why the missing jet’s transponder appeared non-functional. Teal Group’s J.J. Gertler, a senior analyst, suggested that the power from the pilot’s ejection seat may have damaged the cockpit’s electronics. Alternatively, the transponder may have been deliberately turned off to prevent interference.

The Jet Continued Flying?

Another mystery is how the jet continued flying instead of crashing immediately. If the aircraft was left in autopilot with a functional engine, it could feasibly keep flying after the pilot’s ejection.

Next Steps

All Marine Corps planes were grounded on Monday and Tuesday for aviation safety discussions. Grazier noted the importance of fully investigating such a high-profile incident to determine whether it indicates a systemic problem. A preliminary crash report is expected in about 90 days, but a full report could take a year.