Hawk 108 incident victims identified

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has identified two pilots involved in the Hawk 108 fighter jet incident which occurred on Tuesday night.

The Air Force Command in a statement said the two pilots were identified as Capt Mohamad Affendi Bustamy and Major Mohd Fareez Omar.

According to the statement, Mohamad Affendi died in the incident while Mohd Fareez who was injured, was in stable condition and is now being treated at Seberang Jaya Hospital, Penang.

"Both pilots were married and their families have been informed of the incident and RMAF would ensure the welfare of victims' families would be given the due attention.

"All parties should refrain from spreading any unverified news or speculations. RMAF will be setting an Investigation Board on the incident," the statement said.

RMAF in a statement at midnight tonight said one of its Hawk fighter jet was involved in an incident at the Air Base in Butterworth, Penang at about 10.07 pm Tuesday while conducting night flying training.

Following the incident, Senior Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein ordered RMAF to carried out a thorough investigation following the incident involving Hawk 108 on Tuesday night.

He said he was informed of the incident by the Chief of Air Force Gen Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad by phone.

"There was one fatality and another person was injured. The RMAF has been ordered to provide a detailed report and to investigate the cause of the incident immediately.

"My deepest sympathies to the families of the pilots involved in the incident ... very sad and disappointed to hear this news. I am given to understand that the injured pilot has received immediate treatment," he shared on Twitter.

He said the Defence Ministry was ordered to channel assistance to families of the pilots involved in the incident.

-- BERNAMA