US EditionRMAF F/A-18 Hornet Crash: What We Know so Far
The crash reduced the Royal Malaysian Air Force's operational F/A-18D fleet to six jets; investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident during night training.
- On the evening of Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 9:05 PM, a Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet crashed and caught fire during takeoff at the Kuantan Air Base in Pahang.
- Multiple eyewitnesses reported hearing two explosions and seeing flames at the airfield, while viral videos showed the aircraft engulfed in fire after takeoff as the pilots ejected safely.
- The Royal Malaysian Air Force promptly confirmed the incident, suspended flight operations for aircraft removal and runway clearing, and initiated a thorough investigation involving aviation, engineering, and safety experts.
- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed sympathy for the pilots and urged that the investigation identify the cause and ensure appropriate safety measures, while warnings about ageing military equipment arose recently.
- The crash may temporarily affect RMAF operations and could lead to updates in maintenance and pilot training protocols, highlighting ongoing efforts to modernise Malaysia’s air force fleet.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Huge fireball erupts over airport after 'Boeing jet' smashes into ground
A huge fireball was seen erupting over a Malaysian airport after a jet smashed into the ground just seconds after take-off.Footage from the southeast Asian nation's Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport appears to show sparks flying from the jet as it left the runway.The plane then made its way into the air before further clips emerged of a fireball illuminating the night sky.**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**T…
'Sounded like missile strikes', RMAF Hornet crash witnesses recall
KUANTAN: Loud explosions resembling missile strikes were clearly heard around Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan Air Base), said one of the witnesses to the incident involving a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet on Thursday (Aug 21) night.
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