a stealth fighter F-35C Lightning II of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) suffered a front landing gear collapse shortly after returning from a training flight. The incident occurred in late January at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.
According to The Aviationist, the aircraft had recently returned from a training flight, without presenting any problems. The incident occurred when the pilot was disembarking from the plane via the side staircase.
At this moment, the front landing gear began to slowly retract, until it was halfway extended, when the instrument was completely retracted and the aircraft's nose was on the ground. There are no reports of injuries. The photos, sent by a portal reader, show the aircraft resting on the glass fairing of the EOTS electro-optical sensor, which does not appear to be damaged.
This is the first time that a C variant F-35 has suffered such an incident, the portal states. The aircraft registration number 170109 belongs to the VMFA-311 Tomcats squadron, based at Miramar Marine Air Station, in San Diego.
The F-35C is the naval version of the stealth fighter, used aboard the US Navy's nuclear aircraft carriers. To operate from ships, the naval F-35 received larger wings than the F-35A and F-35B, in addition to being foldable. Another striking feature is the stronger and more robust landing gear to withstand the violent landings on board. The US Navy and Marine Corps plan to receive 340 F-35C fighters.
