British F-35B makes emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram: fuel crisis amid rough seas

A British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet from the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group was forced to make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to low fuel after rough sea conditions prevented carrier landing. This rare incident highlights operational challenges faced by advanced STOVL aircraft in adverse weather.

Sources:
NDTVThe Hindu+1
Updated 4h ago
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Sources: NDTVThe Hindu
A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala late Saturday night due to a fuel shortage.

The aircraft was on a sortie over the Indian Ocean when it ran low on fuel and requested emergency landing permission. Despite multiple attempts to land back on the carrier, rough sea conditions prevented a safe recovery.

"The pilot reported low fuel and asked for permission to land. Everything was handled quickly and professionally," a source said.

The F-35B variant is designed for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), enabling operations from carriers without catapult systems. Military aviation experts called the incident unusual but not unprecedented.

"It is not clear why the aircraft was unable to recover onto the Prince of Wales, although early indications suggest poor weather conditions around the carrier may have prevented a safe landing," reports noted.

The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific region and recently completed joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. The emergency landing was declared a full-scale emergency by airport authorities, and the aircraft landed safely by 9:30 p.m.

This incident highlights operational challenges faced by carrier-based aircraft in adverse weather and the critical importance of fuel management during extended sorties over open seas.
Sources: NDTVThe Hindu
A British F-35B fighter jet from HMS Prince of Wales made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to low fuel amid rough seas preventing carrier recovery. The stealth aircraft, operating in the Indo-Pacific, safely landed after repeated failed attempts to land on the carrier.
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The Headline

F-35B emergency landing due to rough seas and fuel shortage

Key Facts
  • A British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala late on Saturday night after running low on fuel while on a sortie over the Indian Ocean.NDTV
  • The fighter jet made repeated attempts to land on the carrier but rough sea conditions prevented that happening, leading to the emergency landing request.The Hindu
  • The airport authorities declared a full scale emergency and the aircraft safely landed at the airport by 9.30 p.m.The Hindu
  • The pilot reported low fuel and asked for permission to land, with the situation handled quickly and professionally.1
  • It is not clear why the aircraft was unable to recover onto the Prince of Wales, although early indications suggest poor weather conditions around the carrier may have prevented a safe landing.NDTV
A British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala late on Saturday night after running low on fuel while on a sortie over the Indian Ocean.
NDTV
NDTV
Sources said the aircraft, which was operating from an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, requested permission for emergency landing after it became low on fuel. Reports suggested that the fighter jet made repeated attempts to land on the carrier but rough sea conditions prevented that happening.
The Hindu
The Hindu
The pilot reported low fuel and asked for permission to land. Everything was handled quickly and professionally, the source said.
Hindustan Times
1
Key Stats at a Glance
Landing time
9.30 p.m.
The Hindu
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Background Context

F-35B role and carrier operations context

Key Facts
  • The F-35B Lightning II fighter jet is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific and had recently completed joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy.NDTV
  • Military aviation experts describe the incident as unusual but not unprecedented, noting the F-35B variant is designed for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), allowing operation from carriers without catapult systems.NDTV
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