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The US military has immobilized its entire fleet of F-35s following the crash of a plane in South Carolina two weeks ago.
As a result of an initial investigation, the 245 F-35s used in the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will be immobilized in an operational pause so that inspections can be conducted to determine if "a fuel tube suspect "was in the plane. the engine has been installed.
Staff Sgt. Corey Hook / United States Aviation
"US services and international partners have temporarily suspended the flight operations of the F-35, while the company conducts a fleet inspection of a fuel tube in the engine of all aircraft of the F-35 ", according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense. "If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced."
A US official said that only half of the current aircraft fleet was equipped with a fuel tube, but inspections would be conducted on the entire US fleet.
The temporary suspension of flight operations will also have an impact on international partners, such as Israel, equipped with the F-35. The international fleet is 75 F-35.
The vast strand of the entire fleet comes after September 28, on September 28, in Beaufort, South Carolina, a Marine F-35B mixed strike fighter. The pilot of the Navy ejected the plane safely.
Kensley Crosby / AP, FILE
"The primary goal after any incident is the prevention of future incidents," according to the release. "We will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of operations as we deliver, maintain and modernize the F-35 for the benefit of the fighter and our defense partners."
The DOD said in its statement that "if good fuel tubes are already installed, these aircraft will be returned to flight status".
The inspections should last a day or two, the ministry said.
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