The Air Force said Wednesday it is continuing the “temporary suspension” of F-35A flight at Eglin AFB, Fla., as it continues to investigate a fire that occurred Monday.
An F-35A suffered a “significant fire” Monday morning in the back end of the aircraft as a pilot was getting ready to take off. Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Hope Cronin said Wednesday in a statement the service would have no further information regarding the nature nor extent of the damage as the investigation is underway.
The service temporarily suspended F-35A flights Monday and Tuesday to allow for the investigation. Cronin deferred to the service’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC) when asked if the suspension affected all F-35As or just those located at Eglin AFB. Luke AFB, Ariz., Nellis AFB, Nev.; and Edwards AFB, Calif.; also has F-35s. AETC did not respond to requests for comment.
The F-35 will make its debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the United Kingdom July 11-13. The F-35 will also display at the Farnborough International Air Show July 14-20. The F-35 is developed by Lockheed Martin [LMT] with subcontractors BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman [NOC].