Engines
Crimped Fuel Line Blamed in F-35B Flight Suspension
The F-35 Joint Program Office announced that an “improperly crimped” fueldraulics line is the probable cause of a fuel leak.

An “improperly crimped” fueldraulics line is the probable cause of a fuel leak that led the U.S. military to suspend flight operations of the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (Stovl) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which was grounded on January 18. The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) announced the probable-cause finding late Monday afternoon and said steps are being taken to return the aircraft to flight. The flight suspension affected 25 of the Stovl variants.