Final report into UK F-35B crash raises broader operational safety concerns

Almost two years after an F-35B Lightning II assigned to the RAF’s No 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ plunged into the Mediterranean following an aborted take-off attempt from HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has released a final report of its investigation into the incident, highlighting concerns regarding safety and security aboard the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier during its first operational cruise. The UK MOD released its final 148-page report of the incident on August 11.