SARGODHA: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet crashed near Sargodha while on a routine training mission on Thursday, a press release issued 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 little over a week ago, a senior PAF officer had embraced martyrdom 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. The trainer FT-7PGs came later. The PAF had previously operated F-7Ps.
About 10 or 11 F7-PGs/FT-7PGs have been lost during their 15 years in service. The PAF has more than 50 of the Chinese-made aircraft 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, located near Quetta, to participate in a training exercise in Sargodha, where the incident occurred.
A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the accident.