F-35 Lightning II News

January 24, 2022 (by Asif Shamim) - An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, had a landing mishap on the deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea on January 24.
The pilot safely ejected from the stricken aircraft believed to be with Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), the “Argonauts." and was recovered via U.S. military helicopter. The pilot is in stable condition.

There were seven total Sailors injured; three Sailors required MEDEVAC to a medical treatment facility in Manila, Philippines, and four were treated by onboard medical personnel.

All three MEDEVACs are assessed as stable. Of the four Sailors treated by on-board medical, three have been released. Additional details and the cause of the inflight mishap are under investigation.

This is the second mishap involving an F-35 operating from an aircraft carrier. A British F-35B from 617 Sqn plunged into the Mediterranean Sea last November during a failed takeoff attempt from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.