US Navy to recover F-35C from South China Sea after crash landing | American News | Local News

Arrangements are being made to recover an F-35C fighter jet that crashed in the South China Sea after a landing accident, the US Navy has announced.

Seven personnel were injured – including the pilot who ejected – in Monday’s incident on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

“I can confirm that the plane hit the flight deck while landing and then fell into the water,” said Lt. Nicholas Lingo, spokesman for the US 7th Fleet.

“US Navy Arranges for F-35C Aircraft Recovery Operations.”

Asked about reports suggesting there were fears the plane could fall into Chinese hands, he replied, referring to the People’s Republic of China: “We cannot speculate on the PRC’s intentions on this subject”.

This is the second accident involving an F-35 manufactured by Lockheed Martin and an aircraft carrier in just over two months.

An F-35 from HMS Queen Elizabeth crashed in the Mediterranean in November, although the pilot ejected safely.

This the aircraft was later recovered by British teams.

Earlier this month, a South Korean F-35A fighter made an emergency landing during training.

And in April 2019, a Japanese F-35 stealth fighter crashed in the Pacific near northern Japan, killing the pilot.