This is the dramatic moment a pilot escaped an American fighter jet that crashed at an Air Force base in Alaska.<br /><br />Footage shows the single-seater F-35 Lightning II aircraft spinning as it plummeted through the air and exploded in a fireball during a training exercise at the Eielson Air Force Base, at 12:49 pm on January 28.<br /><br />The pilot had ejected himself from the jet and was seen descending on a parachute. The 354th Fighter Wing said he was taken to the Bassett Army Hospital for an evaluation.<br /><br />Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said the pilot experienced an 'inflight malfunction' during the flight.<br /><br />He said in a statement: 'Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security.<br /><br />'I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.'
