RMAF F/A-18D Hornet involved in runway accident at Kuantan air base

A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet was involved in an accident on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (RMAF Kuantan Air Base) at 9.05pm yesterday.

In a statement, the RMAF said immediate action is being taken and further updates on the incident will be announced in due course.

“The public is advised against circulating speculation or unverified reports,” it added.

Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman confirmed the air force pilot and co-pilot were safe, noting the incident occurred during take-off.

“Police can confirm the incident. Both the pilot and co-pilot have been taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for examination,” he told Bernama.

Video footage shared on social media showed the engine of the aircraft catching fire during take-off.

The RMAF has a fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets, acquired from McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in 1997.

In a post on X today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

He also urged the authorities to ensure that all necessary safety measures are implemented.

Anwar expressed his sympathy for the RMAF pilot and co-pilot involved in the incident, offering prayers for their swift recovery and the smooth facilitation of their treatment.

Witnesses’ account

Loud explosions resembling missile strikes were clearly heard around Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan Air Base), said one of the witnesses to the incident.

Mazlan Abdullah, 61, who was at a food stall opposite the air base at the time, said he heard two explosions and saw flames from the area.

“After the first explosion, I saw fire inside the airport area with smoke billowing. People nearby also tried to see what had happened.

“When I looked towards the airfield, there were flames. Then came the second explosion, which caused the fire to spread further, and there was also a burning smell,” said the contract worker when met by reporters last night.

Electrical engineer Khairul Azli Syahmie Abdul Aziz, 26, said he, too, heard the blasts from his house located about 500m to one kilometre from the scene, but dismissed it, thinking the RMAF was conducting training.

“When I later saw on social media that a jet was involved in an incident, I still did not go to see because my wife and I thought it was just a military exercise. Sometimes the army does training here, so we’re used to hearing such sounds,” he said.

He added that his neighbours in Pandan Perdana also came out of their homes immediately after the blasts to check on the situation.

- Bernama

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