RMAF suspends Hornet fighter jet operations immediately

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has decided to suspend all flight operations involving its F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets with immediate effect.

RMAF chief Norazlan Aris announced this during a special press conference at the Kuantan airbase in Pahang this morning.

Norazlan (above, centre) said the decision was taken to allow the Air Force Investigation Board to conduct a thorough probe into the crash involving one of the fighter jets during take-off last night.

At 9.05pm yesterday, an RMAF F/A-18D Hornet was involved in an accident while taking off at the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan Airbase).

According to the police, both the pilot and co-pilot survived and were taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for observation.

Norazlan confirmed that both crew members were safe and did not suffer serious injuries.

“The pilot was Major Azhar Alang Kamarudin, 34, while the weapons system officer was Captain Izzuddin Salleh, 28.

“Azhar sustained burn injuries on his left leg, while Izzuddin only suffered bruises on several parts of his body,” he said.

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