US F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes While Landing on Aircraft Carrier in South China Sea...7 Injured

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] It has been reported that seven people were injured when the United States' main stealth fighter, the F-35, crashed after failing to land on an aircraft carrier during training over the South China Sea.

On the 24th (local time), the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet stated in a press release that an F-35C fighter jet training over the South China Sea crashed while attempting to land on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, resulting in seven injuries. Fortunately, the pilot successfully ejected, and among the six personnel injured on the deck, three received emergency treatment on the carrier, while the other three were sent to medical facilities in nearby Manila, Philippines. All are reported to be in stable condition.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet said in the statement, "It appears to have been caused by a minor incident inside the aircraft, and a detailed investigation into the cause is currently underway." This accident has attracted worldwide attention as it is the first incident involving the F-35C, the variant of the F-35 specifically designed for carrier operations.

Notably, the F-35C fighter was first deployed on the Carl Vinson aircraft carrier when it departed from San Diego last August, drawing significant attention. At that time, the manufacturer Lockheed Martin praised the deployment, stating, "This is the first operational deployment of a stealth fighter on an aircraft carrier in the history of U.S. naval aviation."

Interest in the cause of this accident is expected to rise not only among countries that have already purchased the F-35 but also among those that have placed orders. The F-35 is currently widely operated by U.S. allies and partners, including Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Israel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.