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Kuantan, Malaysia: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet caught fire during take-off at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport on Thursday night, prompting both pilots to eject seconds before the aircraft crashed. The incident, which occurred around 9:05 pm, temporarily shut down the airport’s runway and disrupted several commercial flights. The RMAF confirmed in a statement that the twin-seat Hornet suffered a fire during its take-off roll at Kuantan Air Base. “Both pilots successfully ejected and were immediately transported to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for medical observation,” the Air Force said. Witnesses described the terrifying moment as the aircraft burst into flames, sending smoke billowing into the night sky. One resident said that two loud explosions “sounded like missile strikes” and could be heard nearly a kilometre away. A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, shows the Hornet engulfed in flames as it attempted to lift off the runway before both crew members ejected. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) declared a temporary “Code Black” runway closure following the accident. In a statement CAAM said the runway would remain shut until 1 pm on Friday, August 22, to facilitate debris clearance and safety checks. The closure affected several scheduled services, including Malaysia Airlines flights MH1268 and MH1269, and Scoot flights TR0470 and TR0471. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for rebooking arrangements. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his well-wishes to the pilots and urged a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire. “This incident must be studied thoroughly to ensure the safety of our airmen and the reliability of our defence assets,” Anwar said, as quoted by Malay Mail. The RMAF has launched a formal probe into the accident. No casualties were reported on the ground, and authorities confirmed that the fire was contained within the air base perimeter. The Boeing F/A-18D Hornet is one of the RMAF’s frontline multirole fighters, acquired in the 1990s. The aircraft has seen extensive service, including participation in regional exercises and maritime patrols. The fleet is currently undergoing phased upgrades as part of Malaysia’s defence modernisation plan. While the immediate priority remains the health of the two aircrew, the investigation will focus on determining whether a mechanical failure, engine malfunction, or other technical issues caused the fire. The findings are expected to inform future operational safety measures for the RMAF’s combat fleet. In a separate incident a month ago, five police officers were injured when their AS355N helicopter crashed into the Pulai River during a nuclear security exercise in Johor. Two officers remain in critical condition and are receiving respiratory support in the Intensive Care Unit at Sultanah Aminah Hospital. The remaining three officers are stable. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed the crash occurred near the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Jetty in Gelang Patah.

Malaysian Air Force Hornet Catches Fire During Take-Off, Both Pilots Survive

Aviation Today News Desk August 22, 2025

Kuantan, Malaysia: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet caught fire during take-off at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah

Rajasthan, India: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie near Churu district in Rajasthan on Tuesday afternoon. The aircraft had taken off from Air Force Station Suratgarh and was operating as part of a scheduled training mission when the incident occurred. Aircraft Involved and Crash Location The aircraft involved was a twin-seat SEPECAT Jaguar, used by the IAF primarily for ground attack and tactical reconnaissance roles. According to officials, the crash took place around 1:25 PM near Bhanoda village, approximately 40 kilometers from Suratgarh. The aircraft came down in an open agricultural field and was engulfed in flames shortly after impact. Eyewitnesses in the area reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a large plume of smoke. Local authorities confirmed that the debris was scattered across a wide radius, but no civilian injuries or property damage occurred on the ground. In an official statement released shortly after the incident, the Indian Air Force confirmed: “A Jaguar aircraft met with an accident during a training sortie from Air Force Station Suratgarh. Both pilots onboard sustained fatal injuries. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.” Emergency response teams from the IAF and local civil administration arrived at the site to secure the wreckage and begin preliminary investigations. Inquiry Initiated A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash. Investigators are expected to examine flight data, maintenance records, communication logs, and eyewitness accounts. As per procedure, all training missions involving Jaguar aircraft have been temporarily reviewed for operational checks. This is the third reported Jaguar crash involving the Indian Air Force in 2025. Previous incidents occurred in March (Haryana) and April (Gujarat). In each case, aircraft of the same class were involved. Background on the Jaguar Fleet The Jaguar, originally developed by Anglo-French collaboration in the 1960s, has been a part of the IAF fleet since the late 1970s. While the platform has undergone multiple upgrades under programs such as DARIN III, many of the aircraft remain structurally dated, raising long-standing concerns over operational risk and survivability systems especially in trainer variants. Despite recent enhancements, the fleet has faced increasing scrutiny due to rising maintenance requirements and the limited effectiveness of legacy safety systems, including ejection seats. The IAF has yet to formally announce a retirement schedule for the Jaguars, which were earlier projected to remain in service until the early 2030s. The outcome of the inquiry will determine whether additional measures are required concerning training protocols, fleet readiness, or aircraft systems. No additional information about the identities or ranks of the pilots has been released by the IAF as of this report. The next of kin have been informed, and appropriate military honors will follow.

Two Indian Air Force Pilots Killed in Jaguar Crash, Third Training Accident in 2025

Aviation Today News Desk July 10, 2025

Rajasthan, India: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie

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