THE Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has established a board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the F/A-18D Hornet crash at Kuantan Air Base on Thursday night.
RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris said the investigation board, comprising senior officers from the air fleet, commenced its probe today.
“In light of the incident, all flight operations involving the F/A-18D Hornet have been temporarily suspended,” he told reporters during a press conference at the base.
General Norazlan said the investigation is expected to take approximately two weeks.
“I have reviewed the circulated video footage of the incident but cannot confirm whether a bird strike or foreign object was responsible for the crash,” he said. “A thorough investigation is underway, and it has been confirmed that the aircraft, in service since 1997, is a total loss.”
The crash occurred at approximately 9.05pm as the aircraft was taking off from the runway at Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport.
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was conducting a night training flight. It was temporarily operating out of Kuantan Air Base, having been relocated from the 18 Squadron in Butterworth, Penang.
The pilot was identified as Major Mohamad Azhar Alang Kamarudin, 34, and the weapon systems officer as Captain Mohamad Izzudin Mohamad Salleh, 28. Both are experienced RMAF personnel. August 22, 2025
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