In January 2022, a South Korean F-35 pilot was compelled to execute a “belly landing” following a bird hit during a training session that resulted in an avionics system malfunction.
At the time, the ROKAF revealed that a 10-kilogram eagle hit the jet in the left air intake of the aircraft.
This accident led to the penetration of a bulkhead into the weapons room, damaging hydraulic duct and power supply cables. This interfered with the operation of the landing gear. Consequently, the aircraft had to belly land, but the pilot was unhurt.
This unforeseen incident triggered deliberations on repair expenses, ultimately culminating in the decision to retire the aircraft due to financial constraints and heightened security concerns,
reported South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on December 1.
The report said a detailed analysis involving the aircraft’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, revealed alarming damage to nearly 300 crucial components, encompassing critical areas such as the airframe, structure, engine, and control and navigation systems.
The severity of the damage raised concerns regarding both the exorbitant costs of repair, estimated at around 140 billion won (equivalent to US$107.6 million), and the extensive time required to restore the aircraft to operational status.
The expense of repairs surpasses the original acquisition cost of the F-35A, initially estimated at 110 billion won. Considering this financial gap and the extended repair duration, the Air Force deemed retirement a more practical choice.