![[UPDATED] RMAF Hawk 108 fighter jet crashes in Penang, pilot killed](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/20211117_rmaf_fighter_jet_crash_@ohtweet_twt.jpg)
BUTTERWORTH – A Hawk 108 fighter aircraft that crashed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base here last night has left one pilot dead while his navigator colleague who was with him is injured.
The aircraft was about to land at the Butterworth air case tarmac when it skidded and crashed, taking the life of Mohamad Affendi.
The injured, Mohd Fareez Omar, was rushed to the Seberang Jaya Hospital for treatment, and is reported to be in stable condition.
Both RMAF officers were married and their families have been notified.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein tweeted that he had received a report from RMAF chief Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad over the accident.
Baru terima panggilan daripada Panglima @tudm_rasmi Jen TS Ackbal memaklumkan insiden pesawat Hawk 108 yg terhempas di Butterworth tadi. Seorang anggota kehilangan nyawa, seorang lagi cedera. TUDM telah diarahkan segera berikan laporan lebih terperinci dan siasat punca kejadian.
— Hishammuddin Hussein ?? (@HishammuddinH2O) November 16, 2021
“I just received a call from Panglima @tudm_rasmi General Tan Sri Ackbal who informed me of the Hawk 108 crash incident in Butterworth earlier. One life was lost while the other is injured.
“RMAF has been instructed to give a more detailed report and investigate the source of the incident,” said the senior minister on Twitter.
Hishammuddin voiced his condolences to the family of the deceased serviceman and his injured comrade.
He was made to understand that the injured soldier had been rushed for treatment.
“@MINDEFMalaysia has been instructed to grant any assistance to both families,” he added.
Takziah kepada keluarga anggota TUDM yg maut & seorang lagi yang cedera. Amat sedih & dukacita terima berita ini. Saya difahamkan anggota yg cedera telah dibawa untuk rawatan segera. @MINDEFMalaysia telah diarah utk salur apa jua keperluan kpd keluarga kedua-dua anggota terlibat.
— Hishammuddin Hussein ?? (@HishammuddinH2O) November 16, 2021
At 10.07pm, the Hawk 108 had apparently crashed on the runway at the Butterworth airbase during a night landing exercise.
Pictures circulating on social media showed the scene of the crash site, with the wreckage of the aircraft seen ablaze from a distance. They also showed emergency services rushing to the scene to douse the fire and rescue victims.
The cause of the incident has yet to be determined at press time.
However, the crash took place just as RMAF was looking to procure 18 new combat aircraft to replace the ageing fleet of more than a dozen Hawk 108 fighter jets, which have been in service since 1994.
Two loud bangs heard before crash
Meanwhile, Bernama reports that a witness heard two loud explosions moments before flames shot into the air at the runway of the base.
“When the accident occurred around 10pm, I heard loud explosions... twice followed by a blaze after the plane crashed.” The witness, Mastura Mohammad Nordin, 44, who owns an eatery at Kg Benggali, Sg Puyu, here, told reporters yesterday.
She said after witnessing the incident, she and three of her workers along with several customers rushed from her stall – located some 100m away from the base – to the perimeter fence to get a clearer view of the incident and saw what looked like a fire on the runway.
“After the crash, we rushed to the fence and saw a blaze. We hoped nothing serious had befallen the pilot or any bystanders,” she added.
Last month, RMAF closed the tender for its light combat aircraft and fighter lead‐in trainer programme valued at RM4 billion, half of which involved the counter trade of crude palm oil and related products. – The Vibes, November 17, 2021
Additional reporting by A. Azim Idris
