Servet Günerigök
October 11, 2018•Update: October 12, 2018
By Kasim Ileri
WASHINGTON
The U.S. and its allies have temporarily suspended all F-35 flight operations for inspections of a fuel tube in the engine, an American official said Thursday.
Joe Dellavedova, F-35 Joint Program Office public affairs director, said: "If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced. If known good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status."
Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The move comes after an F-35B fighter jet crashed in South Carolina in late September. It was the first crash of one of the country's most expensive military jets. The pilot safely ejected from the plane.
Dellavedova said "the inspection is driven from initial data from the ongoing investigation" into the crash. "The aircraft mishap board is continuing its work and the U.S. Marine Corps will provide additional information when it becomes available."
Following the move by U.S., the Israeli army temporarily grounded its F-35 war jets until all tests are completed, according to an official statement.
The F-35 stealth jet built by Lockheed Martin has an average cost of more than $100 million.
*Servet Gunerigok contributed to the story
