F-35 crash at Kirtland/ABQ New Mexico

[Alf]

Various news feeds reporting an F-35 has crashed on take off in New Mexico - Kirtland AFB

https://theaviationist.com/2024/05/28/f ... ew-mexico/


"An F-35B enroute from Fort Worth, Texas, to Edwards Air Force Base, California, crashed after a refueling stop at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.”

Pilot ejected OK and is stable in local hospital.

[NorvilleRogers]

Reported as a Lockheed Martin development aircraft. Not good if it was a TR-3 test F-35, more possible delays?

[Annsamtree]

Reportedly F35B

Pictures on Twitter @zaphod58

[Nighthawke]

As stated in first post.

[slogen51]

USA Today saying a TR-2 aircraft - going to Edwards

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... 890261007/

'U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin identified the plane as an F-35B that was en route from Fort Worth, Texas to Edwards Air Force Base in California, and had stopped at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico to refuel.'


"This was a U.S. Government-owned and operated aircraft that was being flown by a government pilot who safely ejected," the manufacturer said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. "The aircraft was a test jet equipped with Technology Refresh 2 (TR-2) and was transferring to Edwards AFB for additional test equipment modification."

"Safety is our priority, and we will follow appropriate investigation protocols," the company's statement reads.