SARGODHA: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet crashed near Sargodha while on a routine training mission on Thursday, a press release by PAF said.
“PAF reports with regret that an F7-PG aircraft crashed near Sargodha while on a training mission. Search and rescue operation is in progress,” the statement read.
A week ago, a senior PAF officer had embraced martyrdom in a similar fashion when his aircraft crashed near Mianwali while on a routine operational flight.
F7-PGs were first inducted in the PAF in 2002 as a replacement for the F-6, which were then decommissioned. About 10 F7-PGs have been lost during their 15 years in service. The PAF has more than 50 of these Chinese-made aircrafts in its fleet.
One PAF official, identified as Lieutenant Bilal, suffered a leg fracture as a result of the incident.
According to details, the pilot had flown the jet from PAF Base Samungli, near Quetta, to participate in a training exercise in Sargodha, where the incident occurred. Reports said the pilot in last contact with control informed them about technical problems in the aircraft, seeking permission for rescuing their lives. After getting permission they jumped from the aircraft after changing its direction towards agricultural fields.
A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the accident.
Published in Daily Times, August 18th 2017.
