America’s $400 Billion Plane Spontaneously Combusts Mid-Flight

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B burst into flames mid-flight Oct. 27, causing more than $2 million in damage to the aircraft.

The U.S. F-35 program is famously the most expensive weapons program in history, costing taxpayers nearly $400 billion since launching in 2001. The F-35 program came in $200 billion over budget, and three years behind schedule. The incident, which occurred over Beaufort, South Carolina, is



the latest in a series of spontaneous fires plaguing the F-35 program.

The October fire reportedly occurred in the weapons bay.

“The aircraft landed safely and there were no injuries sustained,” 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman 1st Lt. John Roberts told Military Times. “An investigation is ongoing and we will provide updates as they are available.”