Strong tailwind caused F-35A engine fire

ATTRITION

Subscribe to www.airforcesmonthly.com for breaking news stories. E-mail the news team at edafm@keypublishing.com

The upper rear fuselage of F-35A 12-5052 following its engine fire on September 23, 2016, at Mountain Home AFB.
USAF

A STRONG tailwind has been confirmed as the cause of the engine fire that seriously damaged a US Air Force F-35A Lightning II during start-up at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, on September 23, 2016, see Attrition, November 2016, p92. An Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Aircraft Accident Investigation Report into the incident was released on July 12. It identifies the aircraft as 12-5052, assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron ‘Top Dogs’, from the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The aircraft was temporarily deployed to Mountain Home along with six other F-35As from September 10-24 for training.

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below