- THECEKODOK.COM - A La Une - 22/Aug 12:12

RMAF F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Plane Crashes in Kuantan

A Boeing F/A-18D fighter plane belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force crashed at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport, Kuantan at 9.05pm yesterday. A video that went viral on social media showed an explosion in the engine compartment as the plane was taking off. It flew for several seconds with the crew ejecting from the plane moments before it crashed.The pilot and weapons systems officer were reported to be safe and are currently being treated at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital. No fatalities or other injuries were reported as the plane crashed within the airport area and not in a nearby public housing area.This is the first time a RMAF F/A-18D has crashed since it began operating in 1997. Yesterday's incident means that Malaysia now only has 6 F/A-18Ds, 18 Sukhoi Su-33MKMs and 12 BAE-200s still in operation. The Ministry of Defence is still in the process of purchasing 32 F/A 18 C/D aircraft from the Royal Kuwaiti Army to meet the country's defence needs.A little worrying earlier this year were two accidents involving RMAF assets. In May, a BAE Hawk 208 suffered damage after its landing gear collapsed while landing in Alor Setar. Then in June, the landing gear of a CN-235-220 maritime surveillance aircraft collapsed while landing in Kuching.National security assets, especially the RMAF, are quite old, with this week Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin saying the country is considering purchasing fifth-generation fighter aircraft from America, France and Russia by 2040 if the process of purchasing Kuwait's F/A-18 C/Ds is delayed.