Register

Investigators Begin Search for Wreckage after F-35 Crash in Japan

The F-35A that crashed on Wednesday was reportedly the first built by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Courtesy Lockheed Martin
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-35 fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean, with investigators recovering a small section of its wing.
  • The extensive task of recovering the secretive jet, its missing pilot, and the crucial flight data recorder from the sea floor is now underway.
  • The cause of the crash remains a mystery, as the pilot made no distress call, leading Japan to ground its F-35A fleet for further investigation.
  • This incident marks the second F-35 crash globally, following a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B accident in 2018.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Japanese Air Self Defense Force investigators say they have found a small section of wing of a Lockheed Martin F-35 that crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern Japan on Wednesday. Now the daunting task of recovering the secretive jet and its pilot from the sea floor begins as searchers ponder whether to hire a marine salvage firm with submersible craft able to reach the wreckage.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE