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A curious video appeared on the Internet today, July 12. On the X social network, the Clash Report account published the video with the comment: “What happened? U.S. F-35 pilot hastily jumping out of his jet following unknown reason at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.” It is not clear when the video was taken and whether it is an incident from today or a few days ago.
The video shows the following situation: the F-35 is on a runway and the video starts with the cockpit open. The pilot exits it and begins to walk towards the rear of the fuselage. For greater stability of his body, he uses his hands and feet in some situations. He gradually begins a diagonal descent from the upper rear part of the fuselage to the left wing. He steps boldly onto the wing and lands on its lowest part relative to the runway – its end. From there he jumps on the ground and moves away.
At the same time, the video captured the arrival of fire trucks. At the end of the video, a firefighter can even be seen getting out of the front right of the truck. It is important to note that the firefighter has on his SCBA and is also donning his facepiece. This would indicate either a heat-related emergency some type of off-gassing or both. However, this is a speculative opinion and cannot be confirmed at this stage.
Since there is still no official statement from the U.S. Air Force, let’s consider the hypothesis under what circumstances outgassing can occur and how the heat and gas affect the behavior of the pilot to take such a quick exit from the aircraft.
Outgassing refers to the release of gas that was previously trapped, frozen, or absorbed in some material. In the context of an aircraft like the F-35, outgassing could potentially occur from various sources such as the materials used in the construction of the aircraft, the fuel system, or even from the pilot’s life support systems.
For an F-35 pilot to be compelled to eject due to outgassing, the released gases would have to create a hazardous condition. This could include the buildup of toxic fumes in the cockpit, which might impair the pilot’s ability to operate the aircraft safely. Another possibility is that outgassing could affect the aircraft’s systems, such as causing electrical malfunctions or even fires.
One potential source of outgassing could be the composite materials used in the aircraft’s construction. These materials might release gases when subjected to high temperatures, such as those experienced during high-speed flight or combat situations. If these gases accumulate in the cockpit, they could pose a significant risk to the pilot.
Another scenario involves the fuel system. If there is a fault or leak in the fuel system, it could lead to the release of volatile gases. These gases could enter the cockpit through the aircraft’s ventilation system, creating a hazardous environment for the pilot. In such a situation, the pilot might have no choice but to eject to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
The life support systems, including the oxygen supply, could also be a source of outgassing. If there is a malfunction in the oxygen generation or delivery system, it could release harmful gases into the cockpit. This could lead to hypoxia [lack of oxygen] or exposure to toxic substances, both of which would necessitate an emergency ejection.
It is also possible that outgassing could affect the avionics and other critical systems of the F-35. For example, the release of gases could lead to condensation on electronic components, causing short circuits or other malfunctions. If these systems fail, the pilot might lose control of the aircraft, making ejection the only viable option.
Heat, being part of our environment, is also part of the F-35 damage equation. Let’s look at what kind of accident the heat could cause, both to the F-35 cockpit and to the aircraft itself. Excessive heat in the F-35 cockpit can lead to pilot heat stress or heat exhaustion. This condition can impair the pilot’s cognitive and physical performance, potentially leading to errors in judgment or delayed reaction times, which are critical in high-stakes combat or maneuvering situations.
Heat can also cause malfunctions in the avionics and electronic systems within the F-35. Overheating of these sensitive components can result in system failures, loss of critical data, or even complete shutdowns, compromising the aircraft’s operational capabilities.
The structural integrity of the F-35 can be compromised by extreme heat. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can weaken materials, leading to potential failures in the airframe or other critical components, which could result in catastrophic failures during flight.
Fuel and hydraulic systems in the F-35 are also vulnerable to heat-related issues. Elevated temperatures can increase the risk of fuel vaporization or hydraulic fluid degradation, which can lead to leaks, fires, or loss of control surfaces, endangering the aircraft and its pilot.
Heat can affect the performance of the F-35’s stealth capabilities. High temperatures can alter the physical properties of radar-absorbing materials and coatings, reducing the aircraft’s ability to evade detection by enemy radar systems.
And finally, to recall: there is still no official statement from the USAF about the reason for the pilot jumping from the plane. Everything remains in the realm of speculation, and we will wait to see what they will announce from Washington.