THIS is the terrifying moment a fighter jet burst into flames before crashing during a runway take-off.
Footage shows the F/A-18 Hornet jet speeding on the tarmac and lifting off just moments before the engines exploded.
The Boeing jet, operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, was seen roaring down the runway with flames trailing behind.
Moments later, a bright fireball engulfed the plane as it came down.
The two pilots on board are said to have ejected just moments before the jet crashed at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Malaysia.
The Air Force announced, “We regret to inform you of an accident involving an F/A-18D Hornet at 9:05 pm on August 21 at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan.”
“We are taking immediate action and will update on the latest development.”
Ground witnesses said the crash sounded like a missile strike and was heard from at least a mile away.
Mazlan Abdullah, dining at a nearby restaurant close to the military air base, shared with Bernama, “After the explosion, I saw flames at the airport and smoke rising.”
“Initially there was a fire burning, but then there was an explosion and the blaze git intense.”
Witnesses described the scene as terrifying and said they could smell the fuel burning.
Police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman confirmed that both pilots were immediately taken for medical examination.
He stated, “Police can confirm the incident. Both the pilot and co-pilot have been taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for evaluation,” he told Bernama.
The RMAF has a fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets, acquired from McDonnell Douglas – now Boeing – in 1997, according to The Edge Malaysia.
It comes after the military training jet crashed into a private school campus in Bangladesh – killing 27 poeple.
An Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the school canteen in Dhaka’s capital, triggering a frightening explosion and injuring hundreds.
Shocking footage following the crash showed a massive fire by a lawn, releasing thick smoke skyward as crowds hurried to the spot.
Injured survivors were rushed to a military hospital in the area after the plane crashed into Milestone School and College.
Among those dead are 25 children and one teacher, authorities revealed.
The pilot of the plane died in the crash, Bangladeshi military confirmed, adding that the plane was a training aircraft.
They also revealed that the pilot attempted to avoid densely populated areas – but tragically smashed into a two-story building.
The aircraft is said to have experienced a technical malfunction, the military added.
More than 171 people, including children and adults, were hospitalised, according to BBC Bangladesh.
Most of the injured people are understood to be students, many of whom are in critical condition, hospital authorities have said.
