A fighter jet operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force caught fire and crashed during takeoff at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan on August 21, 2023. The incident occurred at approximately 21:05 local time, resulting in both pilots ejecting safely just moments before the aircraft crashed.
Footage of the event reveals the F/A-18D Hornet jet speeding down the tarmac, trailing flames before a significant explosion engulfed the aircraft. Eyewitnesses described the crash as sounding similar to a missile strike, with the noise audible from over a mile away.
Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, the police chief, confirmed the incident and reported that both pilots were taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for medical examination. “Police can confirm the incident. Both the pilot and co-pilot have been taken for examination,” he stated. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported among the crew.
Witnesses at a nearby restaurant recounted their experiences. One observer, Mazlan Abdullah, noted, “After the explosion, I could see flames in the airport and smoke billowing. Initially, there was a fire burning, but then there was an explosion and the blaze intensified.” The scene was described as terrifying, with the smell of burning fuel in the air.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force has a fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets, which were originally acquired from McDonnell Douglas in 1997. This incident follows another recent aviation disaster involving a training jet in Bangladesh, where a military aircraft crashed into a school campus, tragically killing 27 people, including 25 children.
The Malaysian Air Force has pledged to investigate the cause of the crash and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
As authorities assess the situation, the incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with military aviation operations. The focus now shifts to ensuring the safety of personnel and conducting thorough examinations of the aircraft involved.
