PESHAWAR: Two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots were martyred on Tuesday when a trainer aircraft crashed during landing at the Peshawar Air Base.
The PAF spokesman said that Wing Commander Umar and Flying Officer Israr lost their lives in the incident, adding that the accident took place when the aircraft was returning from a routine training mission.
“Pakistan Air Force reports with regret that a PAF FT-7PG trainer aircraft, while recovering from a routine operational training mission, crashed during landing at Peshawar Air Base,” the PAF statement read.
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 11 or 12 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.
The losses of F7-PGs/FT-7PGs in air crashes are within normal limits, aviation experts claim.
Last month a training aircraft crashed at Lahore’s Ferozepur Road.
The plane was a part of training sessions conducted at the old airport on Walton Road. During the flight, the two-seater plane lost balance and crashed into the side of a house.
Fortunately, the pilot and co-pilot only suffered minor injuries for which they were given first aid by Rescue 1122.
