Military jet crashes in a ball of fire at Pahang airbase, pilots ejected safely

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Videos on social media captured the fiery explosion as the jet took off.

PHOTOS: SCREENGRABS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

A Malaysian military fighter jet crashed at an airbase in Pahang on the night of Aug 21, with videos capturing the aircraft bursting into flames as it took off going viral on social media.

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Muhamad Norazlan Aris said on Aug 22 that both the pilot and the co-pilot ejected from the F/A-18D Hornet aircraft before it crashed on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport at around 9.05pm.

The airport shares the same runway with the airbase.

It is believed to be the first major crash involving an F/A-18D Hornet jet in the country since it entered service in 1997, Malaysian media reported.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 22 called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident, urging the authorities to ensure that all necessary safety measures are implemented.

“I pray that both injured individuals are granted a speedy recovery and that all matters related to their treatment and well-being are made easier,” he said on X.

RMAF’s General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan said the crash took place during a routine night-flying training exercise.

Videos on social media captured the fiery explosion as the jet took off.

The pilot, Major Mohamad Azhar Alang Kamarudin, 34, sustained back injuries and suffered 1 per cent burn on his left heel.

His co-pilot, Captain Mohamad Izzuddin Mohamad Salleh, 28, had bruises on several parts of his body.

Gen Muhamad Norazlan said