Singapore Airforce trainee injured in plane crash incident in US
PUBLISHED ONNovember 06, 2013 3:32 AM
A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Weapon Systems Officer (Fighter) trainee was involved in a training incident at Pensacola, Florida, where he injured his arm and sustained some fractures.
Lieutenant (LTA) Lu Zhen Yang Ephraim, 31, was undergoing a routine training flight in the morning, according to a MINDEF press release.
He was in the backseat of a US Navy T-45C Goshawk training jet piloted by a US Navy instructor pilot when it crash landed on the runway at the Naval Air Station.
The incident happened at approximately 10.30am US local time on Nov 4, 2013 (12.30am (Singapore time) on Nov 5).
LTA Lu was on a Weapon Systems Officer (Fighter) Course conducted by the US Navy.
MINDEF also stated in the press release that LTA Lu is conscious and in stable condition. He sustained left arm and rib fractures, and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
The RSAF is currently assisting LTA Lu's family.
According to AutoWorldNews.com, the flight instructor was also taken to the nearby hospital and is also in stable condition.
The US Navy is investigating the cause of the crash.
The website also mentioned that the two-seater T-45C Goshawk jet costs about US$22 million (S$27 million).
spanaech@sph.com.sg