Malaysian air force fighter jet crashes during takeoff in Kuantan
Videos of an explosion as a jet was taking off has been circulating on social media.
PHOTO: Social media
PUBLISHED ONAugust 22, 2025 12:40 AMBYSean LerThe Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed that one of its F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets was involved in an accident on Thursday night (Aug 21).
“We would like to inform you of an accident involving an F/A-18D Hornet at 9.05pm on Aug 21 at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan.
“We are taking immediate action and will update on the latest development,” said RMAF in a statement.
Bernama reported Pahang police chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman as saying that both the pilot and co-pilot are safe.
Malaysian media outlet New Straits Times reported a similar incident involving the same aircraft type in 2019 when flames were seen belching out of the left engine of a F/A-18D jet which was taking part in a solo display at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2019.
That Hornet jet had reportedly ingested a foreign object resulting in an engine explosion. Both the pilot and aircraft landed safely with the other remaining engine.
Malaysia currently operates a fleet of eight F/A-18D jets.
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