An F-35A fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska due to frozen hydraulic fluid caused by water contamination, leading to a jammed landing gear and erroneous ground sensor readings. Despite a 50-minute troubleshooting call with Lockheed Martin engineers, the pilot had to eject safely after failed landing attempts. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about the F-35’s complex design and safety, with critics questioning its viability given its high costs and operational challenges. The crash illustrates the vulnerabilities of advanced military aircraft, raising doubts about the future of manned fighters in an era increasingly dominated by drones.