Pentagon Temporarily Grounds F-35 Written 12 October 2018

The AP (subscription publication) reports that the Pentagon “on Thursday ordered a temporary pause in all F-35 fighter jet flights in order to inspect the fleet in the wake of a crash last month in South Carolina.” The issue revolves around a potentially bad fuel tube, and “affects more than 250 U.S.-owned jets, as well as nearly 100 that belong to other nations including Britain.” Around half of the F-35s are “believed to have the faulty tube, and they include aircraft owned by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.” However, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews said some aircraft have already been inspected and are flying again. John Thomas, spokesman for Pratt & Whitney, which produces the F-35’s engine, “said the company is supporting the Marine Corps investigation into the crash.”
More Info (Associated Press–subscription publication)