Aircraft Returning to Field Causes 10-Acre Brushfire

An F-35A assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing crashed off the north end of Utah's Hill AFB on October 19, with no reported injuries. 

The pilot of the Lightning II was en route back after a routine training mission, when he ejected from the jet, which went on to impact the earth and cause a 10-acre fire. The pilot was recovered and taken in for medical observation with no injuries reported on the air or the ground. Fire crews managed to halt the impact's blaze, preventing further damage. 

“Flying military aircraft is a risky business that we all accept when we go do it,” Colonel Craig Andrle, commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, said in a news conference Oct. 19. “These things happen. Tonight, first and foremost, we’re thankful he’s OK. He got out of the aircraft.”

The 388th Fighter Wing's aircraft in line behind the returning aircraft were diverted to Salt Lake City International, with local flying around Hill AFB canceled for the day.

“We take flying safety very seriously. Our maintainers and pilots do a great job. It’s in the forefront of our minds,” Andrle said. “I’m confident in the ability of our Airmen and this wing to carry out our mission as we complete all of our required incident response items and move forward.”

As is the case with most incidents, the cause of the mishap remains unknown until investigators complete their inquiry. 

FMI: www.388fw.acc.af.mil