KUANTAN, 22 August 2025 – The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed that both crew members of the F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet involved in last night’s crash at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport successfully ejected and escaped serious injury.

RMAF Chief, General Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan Aris, told a press conference that the jet crashed during take-off for a routine training flight at 9.05pm. He said the swift use of the aircraft’s emergency ejection system ensured the survival of the crew.

The officers have been identified as Major Mohamad Azhar bin Alang Kamarudin, 34, pilot, and Captain Mohamad Izzuddin bin Mohamad Salleh, 28, weapons systems officer.

“Both officers are in stable condition with no major injuries. They were treated at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) in Kuantan and discharged at 2.00am today. They are now placed under observation at 815 Armed Forces Hospital, Kuantan Airbase,” the Air Force Chief said.

General Norazlan personally visited the crash site this morning, as well as the officers and their families, offering words of encouragement and reaffirming RMAF’s commitment to their wellbeing.

He also confirmed that a Board of Inquiry has been convened to investigate the cause of the accident. As a precaution, all F/A-18D Hornet operations have been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

This incident highlights the risks faced by military aviators and the importance of stringent safety protocols in sustaining the nation’s air defence readiness.

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𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐈 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐓 𝐅/𝐀-𝟏𝟖𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐓

Kuantan, 22 Ogos 2025 – Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) semalam dikejutkan dengan insiden kemalangan melibatkan sebuah pesawat pejuang F/A-18D Hornet di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuantan ketika sedang berlepas untuk melaksanakan latihan penerbangan rutin.

Panglima Tentera Udara, Jeneral Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris TUDM dalam sidang media mengesahkan bahawa kedua-dua anak kapal pesawat berkenaan berjaya menyelamatkan diri melalui prosedur kecemasan dengan “eject” daripada pesawat sebelum terhempas.

Anak kapal tersebut adalah Mejar Mohamad Azhar bin Alang Kamarudin TUDM, 34 tahun merupakan juruterbang dan Kapten Mohamad Izzuddin bin Mohamad Salleh TUDM, 28 tahun merupakan jurusensor senjata pesawat.

“Kedua-dua pegawai kini berada dalam keadaan stabil tanpa kecederaan serius. Mereka telah diberi rawatan di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan dan telah discaj pada jam 2.00 pagi tadi. Kini mereka sedang ditempatkan sementara di 815 Rumah Sakit Angkatan Tentera (RSAT), Pangkalan Udara Kuantan,” ujar beliau.

Panglima Tentera Udara turut turun padang pagi ini bagi meninjau sendiri lokasi kejadian serta melawat kedua-dua pegawai yang terlibat serta keluarga. Beliau turut memberikan kata-kata semangat kepada Mejar Mohamad Azhar TUDM dan Kapten Mohamad Izzuddin TUDM.

Beliau memaklumkan bahawa sebuah Lembaga Siasatan telah ditubuhkan bagi mengenal pasti punca sebenar kemalangan tersebut. Operasi penerbangan pesawat F/A-18D Hornet turut digantung sementara sehingga selesai siasatan.