Pilot safe after ejecting from stricken F-35 Lightning II which crashed in fireball

A US F-35A Lightning fighter jet, part of the 354th Fighter Wing, has crashed in Alaska.

The incident happened within the fence line of Eielson Air Force Base, with the single pilot safely ejecting following the declaration of an in-flight emergency.

The pilot is now in Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation and is in a safe and stable condition.

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Colonel Paul Townsend, Commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said it was "premature to speculate on the causes of the incident".

"The pilot was executing standard procedures and executing their respective mission and essentially experienced an in-flight malfunction that… resulted in the crash," he said.

He also said that the aircraft had been taking part in a training event in local airspace and the crash happened as it was landing. 

"Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security," said Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.

"I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to minimise the chances of such occurrences from happening again."

Col Townsend added that the incident did not reduce the US Air Force's faith in the aircraft.

"We are confident in the capability of that platform as the US's premier 5th generation fighter," he said.

"I can stand and say I have full faith in the capabilities of the F-35A."