Most F-35s return to flight operations following fuel tube inspections

More than 80 percent of the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and those of international partners are returning to flight operations several days after the fleet was temporarily suspended for an enterprise-wide fuel tube inspection, according to the Joint Program Office.

"Current inventory will restore about half of the impacted jets to flight operations, and the remaining aircraft are expected to be cleared for flight over the coming weeks," the JPO said in a statement. 

The office also said F-35 engine contractor Pratt & Whitney is "rapidly procuring" additional parts.

"The issue is not expected to impact F-35 deliveries and the program remains on track to meet its target of 91 aircraft for the year," the statement continued.

The Defense Department suspended F-35 flight operations on Thursday to conduct fuel tube inspections. The inspections resulted from an ongoing investigation into a Sept. 28 F-35B crash in Beaufort, S.C. crash.

The JPO characterized the suspension and fuel tube inspections as "an isolated incident which is quickly being addressed and fixed," according to the statement.

The Marine Corps is continuing to investigate the crash in South Carolina.