Pentagon grounds F-35s after crack found in engine

Canada mulling planes as country’s next fighter jet

OTTAWA — The Pentagon has announced it is grounding all of its F-35s after a routine inspection found a crack in one of the stealth fighter’s engines.

It was unclear whether the problem is an isolated incident, but the issue will further hurt the F-35’s reputation as Canada considers whether it should be the country’s next fighter jet.

The U.S. Defence Department said the crack was found on the engine blade of an F-35A operating at Edwards Air Force Base in California. There are three versions of the F-35, and the A-version is the one Canada is looking to purchase.

The Pentagon said it is working with engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney to figure out the cause of the crack, including whether it is a fleet-wide problem.

But it has suspended all F-35 flights as a precautionary measure until the investigation is complete.

This is the second time in two months a version of the stealth fighter has been grounded.

A vertical takeoff and landing variant to be purchased by the U.S. Marines and the British military were forced to stay in their hangars for a month after a fuel-line problem was discovered, prompting concerns the aircraft could explode in mid-flight.

Alan Williams, a former head of Canadian military procurement, said such problems are common when it comes to developing a new aircraft.

That is why countries don’t buy or receive aircraft until they have been fully tested, he said.

“It’s only because the government made the ludicrous decision to buy this two-plus years ago that we care.”

Williams, who has been critical of the Harper government’s initial decision to sole-source the stealth fighter’s purchase, said there is no doubt the company that is building the F-35 and its engine will be able to identify and solve the problem.

“The question is how long it will take and what it will cost.”

The Harper government has ordered a reset on plans to replace Canada’s aging CF-18s following revelations last year the total cost to taxpayers of purchasing and operating 65 F-35s would be $45 billion.

The government says it is no longer committed to the stealth fighter, and that all options are being considered.