Inspections being carried out on UK’s stealth jets following crash of US plane
The UK is carrying out inspections of its stealth fighter fleet and has paused some flying following the crash of a US jet.
Aircraft are being examined to see whether they have a faulty fuel tube after the crash of a US Marine Corps F-35B in September.
The Ministry of Defence said that trials of the F-35 on the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth were continuing.
A MoD spokesman said: “Safety is our paramount concern, therefore the UK has decided to pause some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing inquiry.
“F-35 flight trials from the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, are continuing and the programme remains on schedule to provide our armed forces with a game-changing capability.
Contrary to reports, all F-35 jets have not been grounded. We have paused some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing enquiry. Flight trials from @HMSQnlz continue and the programme remains on schedule #F35@thef35pic.twitter.com/yOOpSAFxZ0
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) October 11, 2018
“We will continue to review the situation as further information becomes available.”
It is understood that some aircraft have already been inspected and have been cleared to return to flight.
