RMAF F/A-18D Hornet

PRIME Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is calling for a probe into the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet crash in Kuantan, Pahang last night.

Anwar said authorities must ensure that safety measures are strengthened to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

“My sympathies are with the RMAF pilot and weapons systems officer involved in last night’s crash, and I pray for their speedy recovery,” he said in a post on X.

Both crew members involved in the crash have been discharged from Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) early this morning after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

The pilot sustained a slight injury to his coccyx and a burn on his left heel, while the weapons systems officer suffered soft tissue injuries to his back and thighs.

Both men were taken to HTAA’s Emergency and Trauma Department at about 10pm yesterday after ejecting safely from the aircraft.

The jet, from RMAF’s No. 18 Squadron, crashed shortly after takeoff from the Kuantan Airbase.

Viral videos circulating online showed sparks trailing the aircraft before it was engulfed in flames as it left the runway.— TMR

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KUANTAN — The two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officers piloting the F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet successfully executed emergency ejection procedures before the aircraft crashed at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan Air Base) late last night.

According to RMAF Chief Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris (picture), the pilot, Major Mohamad Azhar Alang Kamarudin, 34, sustained back injuries and suffered minor burns (one per cent) to his left heel, while the co-pilot, Weapons Systems officer Captain Mohamad Izzuddin Mohamad Salleh, 28, escaped with only bruises to several parts of his body.

“Both officers were initially treated at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital and were discharged at 2 am today. They are now recuperating at the Malaysian Armed Forces Hospital.

“I have visited the crash site this morning to get a full briefing on the incident and to extend moral support to both officers,” he told a press conference at the air base here today.

He said the crash occurred during a routine night flying training exercise.

Muhamad Norazlan said the airport, also known as Kuantan Air Base, has been temporarily closed to facilitate a comprehensive cleanup operation dubbed “Mega Sweep.”

“This morning, we deployed personnel to comb every inch of the runway. Any foreign objects or debris are being collected to ensure the area is fully cleared,” he said.

Authorities are expected to confirm the runway’s operational readiness by midday today.

Meanwhile, Muhamad Norazlan said the RMAF has formed an official board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.

“The investigation team begins work today and will provide a preliminary report as soon as possible. Typically, such reports will be completed within 14 days,” he said.

From the viral video footage of the alleged causes of the crash, Muhamad Norazlan stated that RMAF investigators will examine it from various angles, including potential bird strikes, foreign object debris (FOD), and possible engine failure.

“The aircraft is equipped with a data collector system similar to a black box. We will analyse the data to determine what led to the crash.

“Until the cause is determined, all F/A-18D Hornet flights have been temporarily suspended,” he added.

The fighter jet involved was from No.18 Squadron, normally based at Butterworth Air Base, but had been temporarily deployed to Kuantan while Butterworth’s runway was undergoing an upgrade.

The RMAF F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet was reported to have crashed on the runway of the air base at 9.05 pm yesterday. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident involving the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet last night.

In a post on X today, he also urged the authorities to ensure that all necessary safety measures are implemented.

Anwar expressed his sympathy for the RMAF pilot and co-pilot involved in the incident, offering prayers for their swift recovery and the smooth facilitation of their treatment.

The two RMAF personnel involved in the incident on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan Air Base) at 9.05 pm last night have been reported safe and were taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for further examination. — BERNAMA

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