F-35 Fleet Still Grounded

The Defense Department’s entire F-35 fleet remains grounded almost two weeks after an F-35A caught fire at Eglin AFB, Fla., said Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby. “The root cause of the incident remains under investigation. Additional inspections of F-35 engines have been ordered, and return to flight will be determined based on inspection results and analysis of engineering data,” said Kirby in a July 3 statement. “Defense Department leadership supports this prudent approach.” As of Thursday it was unclear whether the F-35 would participate in the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom July 19-20. “A final decision will come early next week,” said Kirby. A fire broke out in the back end of an F-35A on June 23 as it was preparing to take off. The pilot was not injured.