US F-35 fighter en route to Finland stranded in Azores due to malfunction — Yle

STOCKHOLM, September 20. /TASS/. One of US-made F-35 fighter jets ordered by Finland had to be left behind in the Azores because of a technical malfunction during a transit from the United States, Finland’s Yle broadcaster reported citing Finnish Air Force Chief of Staff Aki Puustinen.

In his words, the aircraft’s onboard diagnostic system issued a warning regarding a potential malfunction in the plane’s electronic system during engine startup. The incident occurred when a group of six Finnish and Belgian F-35 fighter jets was headed to Finland from the United States, with an intermediate stop in the Azores. As a result, only two instead of three planes have made it to Finland.

Puustinen said a spare part for the repair will be delivered to the Azores soon. A separate transit flight for the aircraft to Finland was deemed impractical because aerial refueling tankers are needed for the mission. The fighter jet will return as part of the next group.