Republic of Korea AF Hawk crashes, both crew killed

A Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) BAe Hawk trainer jet has crashed during an exercise, killing both pilots aboard. According to the RoKAF, the trainer crashed this afternoon at 2.27pm local time near the aircraft's base at Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, about 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Both pilots, 34-year-old Major Park Jeong-soo and 33-year-old Major Kwon Seong-ho, were unfortunately killed in the crash. No casualties were suffered on the ground, although 3 greenhouses were damaged by fire. The aircraft had reportedly crashed soon after taking off for an emergency landing practice exercise.

The RoKAF took delivery of 20 Bae Hawk 67 trainers (known locally as T-59s) in 1992, and the remaining 15 (after today's crash) serve with the RoKAF's 216th Flight Training Squadron/16th Fighter Wing at Yecheon. South Korea reportedly wants to retire their Hawk fleet by 2013, possibly replacing them with locally-built KAI KT-1 basic trainers. Indonesia has been reported as being a possible buyer of the Korean Hawks.

VIDEO: Chinese JH-7 fighter bomber crashes at airshow

A Chinese-built Xi'an JH-7 Flying Leopard fighter-bomber has crashed during a demonstration at an airshow in Pucheng, Shaanxi Province in northern China. A video of the crash (see embedded video above) released by CCTV, China's state broadcaster, appears to show the aircraft suddenly departing controlled flight and plunging nose-first into the ground, resulting in a fireball. One crewmember was seen to eject, reportedly with injuries, however another pilot was reported as missing. More reports from The Bangkok Post and CNN.

The JH-7 is in service with both China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF). First entering service in the 1990s, the new type replaced the elderly Harbin H-5 (Ilyushin Il-28 'Beagle' copy) and Nanchang Q-5 (Chinese built derivative of the MiG-19/Shenyang J-6). Considered a relatively limited ground attack platform powered by locally manufactured derivatives of imported Rolls-Royce Spey engines, an improved variant, the JH-7A, introduced a lighter, composite platform, new avionics and radar, precision strike capability and increased payload. 114 aircraft have been built so far and serve in the precision attack and maritime strike roles.

VIDEO: Aerial view of Taiwanese RF-5E, F-5F crash site

Raw video taken from a helicopter of the site of the recent crash of the Republic of China Air Force RF-5E Tigereye and F-5F Tiger II two-seat conversion trainer. More details on the crash in yesterday's report.

RoCAF F-5F and RF-5E crash in eastern Taiwan; 3 pilots killed

RoCAF RF-5E of the 12th TRS/401st TFW. Photo © Hsu Chun-Yuan. Please visit his Photostream for high-res images.

Sad news from Taiwan. The Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) has lost a RF-5E Tigereye photo-reconnaissance jet and a F-5F Tiger II fighter/trainer when both aircraft crashed into mountains in eastern Taiwan yesterday during a night training sortie. Reports this morning have indicated that all 3 pilots have been killed in the crash, which occurred near Su-Ao Township in Yilan County.

In a statement, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said the two jets took off from their base at Hualien at 7:39pm local time yesterday evening, with radio contact being lost at 7:48pm and both aircraft disappearing from radar shortly after, at 7:52pm. The RF-5E pilot has been identified as Captain Hsiao Wen-ming, 29 while the F-5F was crewed by Lieutenant Colonel Chang Chien-kuo, 41 (pilot) and Major Wang Hong-Hsiang, 36 (co-pilot). The RF-5E was flying in the lead, with the F-5F the wingman.

Fishermen from nearby coastal towns approximately 100km north of Hualien witnessed the aircraft flying along the Suhua Highway before hearing the crash and observing flames from nearby mountain peaks. The witnesses then notified authorities, which initiated a search of the reported area of the crash before locating the wreckage as well as the bodies of the pilots.


RoCAF F-5F 5401/83-0127 of the 12th TRS/401st TFW. This is reportedly the F-5F which crashed last night. Photo © Hsu Chun-Yuan. Please visit his Photostream for high-res images.

Taiwan's fleet of F-5E/F Tigers were locally produced under licence, with 308 aircraft being manufactured between 1974 and 1983. Seven F-5Es were converted into RF-5E Tigereyes by Singapore Technologies Aerospace in 1999-2000.

The RF-5E lost is reported to be 5506 (83-0093/former RoCAF F-5E 5323) while the F-5F is reported to be 5401/83-0127. Taiwan's Tiger II fleet has suffered from a relatively high loss rate, with more than 30 airframes known to have been written off due to crashes and accidents.

Hualien is home to the RoCAF's 401st Tactical Fighter Wing/12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron which reportedly only operates the RF-5, but as the above photo shows, it also holds at least one (but probably a handful of) two-seater(s), most likely for pilot training/conversion.

Additional information courtesy of Don Chan, Taiwan Air Power and Scramble.

JASDF F-15 crashes into sea off Okinawa; pilot missing (Updated)

An F-15J Eagle fighter of the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) has crashed into the East China Sea approximately 110 miles (180 km) northwest of its base at Naha, Okinawa while on a training exercise. The jet and its pilot, 37-year-old Maj. Yuji Kawakubo, was on a training flight when an emergency signal was sent around 1033 Local (0133 GMT), and the jet disappeared off radar soon after.

An extensive search by thirteen JASDF aircraft along with ships and aircraft of the Japanese Coast Guard has located a wing, a vertical tail and airbrake of the aircraft but Maj. Kawakubo remains unaccounted for. It is not known if he had ejected from the crashed aircraft. There are conflicting reports on whether the aircraft was alone or part of a larger formation prior to the crash.

The Japanese Defence Ministry has launched an investigation into the crash.

UPDATE: The JASDF has announced that in the wake of the crash, it has grounded its F-15J/DJ fleet, numbering approximately 200 airframes and spread among 9 difference squadrons throughout Japan. The type currently forms the backbone of the JASDF's air combat strength.

Notes: Naha (OKA/ROAH) is home to the F-15J/DJs of the JASDF's 203 Hikotai (Squadron)/83 Kokutai (Wing), operating alongside other JASDF units at Naha and sharing the premises with Okinawa's main civilian airport.

NATO chopper crashes in Afghanistan, crewman killed

A NATO helicopter from ISAF has crashed in eastern Afghanistan, killing one crew member with the other rescued alive. The Taliban have claimed to have shot down the helicopter and that other coalition helicopters have destroyed the wreckage. NATO has not confirmed the type and nationality of the the helicopter and crew, or if they was shot down.

Sudanese Mi-17 crashes in Darfur, five killed

A Sudanese military Mi-17 has crashed in North Darfur killing all five people on board. The five included three crew and two soldiers. This is the second Sudanese military helicopter to crash in a week, five days after an Mi-24 gunship crashed on takeoff in Khartoum.

Sudanese Hind crashes in Khartoum, one dead

A reported engine fire soon after takeoff caused the crash of a Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter of the Sudanese Air Force, killing one of three on board. The incident happened at Khartoum Airport.

VIDEO: Iranian Air Force Il-76 "Simorgh" AEW crash in 2009

The video was shot from a IRIAF Boeing 707 tanker's boom operator station. You can see the Il-76MD "Simorgh" AEW&C (ex Iraqi Air Force Adnan) going down in flames in the background.

It is believed that it collided with an F-5E Tiger II interceptor on route to Iran-Iraq War anniversary fly-by in southern Tehran.

All crew were killed.

Iranian Air Force Sukhoi crashes, pilot killed

According to reports by state news agency IRNA, an Iranian military aircraft has crashed near the city of Shiraz, killing the pilot and injuring a second crewmember. The aircraft type has only been identified as a Sukhoi, which should indicate that the aircraft was a Su-24MK or Su-25UBK.

Super Hornet crashes near Lemoore; both crew killed

The US Navy has said that one of its F/A-18F Super Hornets has crashed in a field just outside Naval Air Station Lemoore, with both crew on board unfortunately killed. The aircraft belongs to VFA-122, the US Navy's West Coast Hornet and Super Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron.

Russian Su-27 crashes near Vladivostok; pilot injured

A Russian Air Force Su-27 Flanker has crashed while on a training mission in the Russian Far East. The pilot ejected and has been hospitalized in a satisfactory condition. The Russian Air Force is investigating the crash, believed to be caused by technical failure.

Brand-new Kenyan Mi-171 crashes, crew survive

Kenya has lost one of its new Mi-171 helicopters when it crashed during a training flight. The pilot, co-pilot and a technician who were on board survived the accident and are receiving treatment.

USAF MQ-9 Reaper crashes at Holloman

An unmanned MQ-9 Reaper has crashed on landing at Holloman Air Force Base. The UAV was assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron, and USAF officials say nobody on the ground was injured and no private property was damaged.

Spangdahlem-based A-10 crashes; pilot survives

The US Air Force has announced that a Spangdahlem-based A-10 Thunderbolt II has crashed north of the city of Wittlich, Germany. The unidentified pilot ejected from the aircraft and is being treated at a local hospital.

US Marine Corps Harrier crashes off USS Boxer, pilot rescued

An AV-8B Harrier has crashed in the Gulf of Aden shortly after taking off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, with the pilot recovered from the water soon after. The aircraft was attached to HMM-163 (Reinforced) 'Evil Eyes' supporting the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

USAF F-15E crashes in Libya; crew rescued

The first aircraft loss of Operation Odyssey Dawn has occurred with a USAF F-15E Strike Eagle crashing in a field near Benghazi due to a equipment malfunction (Photos in link). Both crew ejected from the stricken aircraft and were rescued, with US Africa Command confirming that it was based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England and flying from Italy's Aviano airbase at the time of the incident.

MiG-23 shot down over Benghazi (with photos)

AFP Photo

UPDATE: The rebels in Libya have acknowledged that the MiG-23 shot down over Benghazi belonged to rebel forces, and was downed by pro-Gaddafi forces.

Various news outlets are showing photos and video of a MiG-23 crashing in flames over Benghazi after being shot down. Reuters has reported that the aircraft circled Benghazi for a while before carrying out what appeared to be an attack run when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Photos show the stricken Soviet-era jet on fire in the upper-mid fuselage area, with the pilot seen to eject just before the aircraft impacted the ground, with his current fate unknown. There are conflicting reports as to who owns the aircraft and who shot it down, with both pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces known to have MiG-23s in their respective inventories.

Assuming the jet belongs to the Gaddafi regime, this and other reports of continued fighting around Benghazi flies in the face of claims by the regime that it has declared a unilateral ceasefire after the United Nations Security Council had adopted a resolution yesterday proclaiming a no-fly zone in Libya to protect civilians.

Meanwhile Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornets, with support aircraft, have been seen at Prestwick Airport just outside of Glasgow, Scotland with various supporting aircraft. Canada has pledged Hornets to support the Libyan No-Fly Zone.

More photos of the MiG shootdown over Benghazi:

Source: Unknown


AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus


Photo by Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images


Source: Unknown


Photo by Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images

Cameroon AF Alpha Jet overshoots runway, crashes into house

© Sipa Press/Rex Features via Flightglobal

A pilot from the Cameroon Air Force has had a lucky escape when his Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet trainer overshot the runway when landing in Yaounde. The two-seat aircraft came to a rest in the courtyard of a house after running down an embankment, with the sole pilot and a civilian on the ground sustain light injuries.

Syrian pilots flying for Gaddafi's forces: opposition

Syrian opposition sources have said that Syrian pilots are flying combat missions for Libya's pro-Gaddafi forces, attacking rebels in the ongoing revolt. The reports have also claimed that one of the pilots killed in last week's Libyan Su-24 shootdown was Syrian, and another website has identified the pilot by name.