Timeline: World's Most Expensive Fighter Jet Is Still Grounded In Kerala
New Delhi:
The British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which made an unscheduled landing in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday night, remains grounded for the fourth straight day on Wednesday.
The jet, one of the most advanced of its kind in the world, has become an unusual and high-profile presence at the airport, drawing attention from aviation enthusiasts and onlookers.
The F-35B is also the most expensive fighter jet in the world in terms of the overall programme cost.
The aircraft is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. The carrier group recently completed joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy.
Since its arrival, British aviation engineers have been working intensively to fix a technical snag related to the aircraft's hydraulic systems. Despite their efforts, the issue remains unresolved, delaying the fighter jet's return to its mother ship. The aircraft remains parked at Bay 4 of the airport under a strict security cordon.
Here is the sequence of events of the F-35B grounding, along with details of what ails the aircraft.
June 14, 8.50 pm
British F-35B stealth fighter jet takes off from HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.
June 14, 9.20 pm
The F-35B pilot contacts Thiruvananthapuram airport, declares low fuel and requests for landing clearance.
June 14, 9.30 pm
The F-35B lands in Thiruvananthapuram airport.
June 14, 10.30 pm
The pilot 'Mike' is escorted from the jet for security procedures.
June 14, 11.15 pm
A Royal Navy helicopter lands with a two-man repair crew and remains overnight.
June 15, 11.20 am
Six Royal Navy technicians arrive; the aircraft grounding is extended due to mechanical issues.
June 15, 9.54 pm
The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirms emergency landing of the F-35B, says it is providing necessary support.
June 16
The F-35B is reported to be grounded due to hydraulic failure.
June 16
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover of the grounded F-35B is extended.
June 18
The F-35B enters the fourth day of being grounded at the airport in Kerala.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
2 hours ago
- Scroll.in
Ahmedabad plane crash: DNA confirms identities of 223 of those killed
Eight days after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the identities of 220 persons who died have been confirmed through DNA testing, The New Indian Express reported on Friday. The bodies of 204 persons have been handed over to their families as of 11.50 am on Friday, Civil Hospital Superintendent Rakesh Joshi told the newspaper. This includes the bodies of two persons who succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital. On June 12, Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which was en route to London's Gatwick airport from Ahmedabad, crashed just 33 seconds after taking off. This is being viewed as the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. There were 242 people aboard the aircraft. One passenger survived with ' impact injuries '. Thirty-four persons were also killed on the ground after the plane crashed into the hostel building of the BJ Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad, according to Air India. Rakesh Joshi, the civil hospital superintendent, told The New Indian Express that among the 223 bodies that have been identified, 168 were Indians, 36 British citizens, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. Another 11 persons were those who were not in the aircraft, but were in buildings into which it crashed. The remains of 15 victims were transported by air, while 189 were sent via road, the doctor added. Meanwhile, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is yet to decide whether flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the aircraft that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Thursday. The decision will be taken 'after due assessment of all technical, safety, and security considerations'. The ministry issued the clarification after certain media outlets reported that the recorders were being sent abroad for analysis. 'The Ministry of Civil Aviation urge all stakeholders to refrain from speculation on such sensitive matters and to allow the investigative process to proceed with the seriousness and professionalism it warrants,' the statement added. The Tata Group's chairman N Chandrasekaran on Thursday told Times Now that one of the engines of the Air India plane that crashed was new and installed in March, while the other was installed in 2023 and was not due for servicing until December.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
AI 171 crash: 202 bodies handed over and 220 victims identified, says Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 20 (ANI): Almost a week after the deadly Air India crash that took place in Ahmedabad, DNA samples of 220 victims had been matched with their families and the mortal remains of 202 passengers have been released, announced Gujarat Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Rushikesh Patel on Friday. In a post on X, Rushikesh Patel wrote, 'UPDATED UP TO :- 20/06/2025 , 11:45 A.M. NO. OF DNA MATCH - 220, NO. OF RELATIVES CONTACTED- 220, NO. OF MORTAL RELEASED- 202.' Of the 220 victims identified in the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, 151 were Indian nationals, 34 were British, 7 Portuguese, one was Canadian, and 9 were non-passengers. So far, 202 bodies have been handed over, 15 sent by air and 187 by ambulance, while the remaining mortal remains will be released soon. 'Indians 151, Portuguese 7, British 34, Canada 1, Non passengers AIR - 15, By road via ambulance - Mortal remains will be handed over soon,' the post further reads. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said that the flight AI-171, which crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad on June 12, was 'well-maintained' and both the aircraft and its engines were regularly monitored, showing no issue before the flight. In a wordy statement for its customers, Air India's CEO informed that the plane had undergone its last major check in June 2023, while its right engine was overhauled in March of this year, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. 'The plane was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight,' Campbell Wilson said. Air India CEO assured that they are working with the aviation industry and waiting for the official investigation report to provide more information about the crash in which 241 out of the 242 passengers on board were killed after the plane crashed into the BJ Medical college's boys hostel building. Campbell Wilson further added that Air India has completed inspection on 26 Boeing 787 aircraft out of 33 of its aircraft as per the directions of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after the tragedy. He added that following the review of Air India aircraft, the DGCA has confirmed that our Boeing 787 fleet and maintenance processes fully meet safety standards. On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. (ANI)
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
British F-35B Jet Remains In Thiruvananthapuram As Royal Navy Declines India's Support Offers
A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport nearly a week after an emergency landing due to a suspected hydraulic failure. Days after a British Royal Navy F-35B fighter made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, it remains grounded there, multiple media reports suggest. According to Money Control, India offered to move the jet to a hangar at the airport to help the British technical team carry out repairs. However, this offer was declined by the Royal Navy, the Indian Defence Research Wing said. The Indian Air Force later suggested building a temporary shed at the site to protect the aircraft and ground crew from rain and heat, but this offer too was reportedly turned down, the report claimed. The stealth jet, operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, landed at the Thiruvananthapuram airport due to a suspected hydraulic issue. The incident happened while it was on a routine flight outside Indian airspace when it developed a technical fault and diverted to the southern Indian airport, designated in advance as an emergency recovery site. Though the emergency landing was safely executed and previously reported, the root issue, believed to be a fault in the aircraft's hydraulic system, has not yet been resolved, leaving the fifth-generation combat jet stationed at the airport for nearly six days now. According to news agency PTI, technicians from the carrier arrived shortly after the incident to begin inspection and repairs. Six of them returned to the ship on Tuesday afternoon, while three personnel, including the pilot, remain at Thiruvananthapuram to oversee the rectification efforts. The pilot did not remain in the cockpit after landing and has been resting in the airport's apron office area. As part of precautionary protocol, the aircrew were moved to the Emergency Medical Centre after the incident. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) has been facilitating their stay, providing accommodation and meals. A local ground handling agency was also arranged at the Royal Navy's request. The Indian Air Force, which tracked and cleared the jet for landing through its IACCS radar network, supports the UK team in returning the aircraft to full service. First Published: June 20, 2025, 14:37 IST
