Pilot Ejects Safely as Indonesian Air Force Fighter Jet Crashes in Riau Province

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – A BAE Hawk 209 fighter jet with Squadron 12 of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base crashed on Monday morning in Kampar Regency of Indonesia's Riau Province, with the pilot safely ejecting, the Indonesian Air Force confirmed.

Air Force Spokesman First Marshal Fajar Adriyanto said the pilot, First Lieutenant Apriyanto Ismail of Squadron 12, ejected safely from the aircraft when the crash occurred near Runway 36 of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base.

“The pilot has been transported to Dr. Soekirman Air Force Hospital of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru for further observation,” said Fajar in a statement.

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“The crash involves BAE Hawk 209 fighter jet and registered as TT-0209,” he added. 

The Air Force team is still investigating the cause of the crash.

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Head of Kubang Jaya Village in the Kampar Regency Tarmizi, who only goes by one name, said he received the information regarding the crash at around 7.30 am.

“The aircraft crashed into a residential area and I am here at the scene,” said Tarmizi in a telephone interview.

Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sus M. Zukri said that the pilot was found about 30 meters from the aircraft and survived the accident.

“Alhamdulillah (Thanks be to God) the pilot survived the accident. He receives treatment at the airbase hospital,” Antara News Agency quoted Sus as saying.

According to KompasTV, a witness named Dedi Sukisman said that he heard of explosions and he saw the aircraft was crashing into a house.

“I was working at that time then heard of explosions and I looked up to the sky. I saw the low-flying aircraft and it crashed into the house,” he said.

Another witness, who opted not to be named, said that the house owner’s name is Markun.

Reports on injuries or loss of life related to the accident have yet to be confirmed as the house is usually left vacant, according to Antara News Agency.

Source: Kompas.com