Catastrophe Strikes During Night Training

In a shocking incident that captured the attention of many, a Malaysian military fighter jet crashed in a dramatic fireball at an airbase in Pahang on August 21. Eyewitness videos flooded social media, showing the F/A-18D Hornet bursting into flames as it took off around 9:05 PM.

Pilots Escape Just in Time

General Muhamad Norazlan Aris, chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), reported that both the pilot, Major Mohamad Azhar Alang Kamarudin, 34, and co-pilot, Captain Mohamad Izzuddin Mohamad Salleh, 28, managed to eject safely right before the crash. Thankfully, they were treated for minor injuries and discharged from a government hospital by 2 AM the following day.

A Wake-Up Call for Aviation Safety

This incident marks the first major crash involving an F/A-18D in Malaysia since the aircraft entered service in 1997. In response, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the causes. He emphasized the need for robust safety measures in military aviation to prevent such occurrences.

Eyewitness Accounts: A Night of Terror

Local residents described the chaos, with some likening the loud explosions to a missile strike. Contract worker Mazlan Abdullah recounted, "After the first explosion, I saw fire inside the airport area and smoke billowing. Then came the second explosion, which caused the fire to spread further, along with a burning smell." Videos confirm the intensity of the blaze that ensued.

Military Flights Grounded Nationwide

In the aftermath, all flights involving F/A-18D jets across the country have been suspended as an official inquiry is underway to investigate the crash. General Norazlan confirmed that the military will take necessary precautions to ensure safety.

A Royal Reminder on Aircraft Safety

This unfortunate accident follows a stern warning from Malaysia’s King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, against the procurement of aging aircraft—some of which he labeled as "flying coffins." In light of this, the Defence Ministry has scrapped plans to acquire four outdated Black Hawk helicopters.