Singapore suspends F-16 training after plane crash

SINGAPORE, May – Singapore’s defense ministry said it was temporarily suspending training of its F-16 aircraft fleet after an F-16 crashed during routine training yesterday.

The ministry said the suspension is a safety measure that will remain in place until investigations show it is safe to resume training. The pilot was ejected from the aircraft before the crash and is in a stable and conscious condition.

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In a statement released late Wednesday evening, the Defense Ministry said the pilot had completed over 2,000 flight hours on the F-16 aircraft and detailed investigations were underway.

“According to the pilot, he experienced flight control issues while taking off from the runway at Tengah Air Base for a routine training flight.”

According to local media CNA, Singapore has operated the US-made F-16 for almost 30 years and the last crash of one of its fighter jets occurred in May 2004.

Then, during a night training mission in the US state of Arizona, an F-16C crashed, killing the 25-year-old pilot.

Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Facebook on Wednesday that he was “obviously disappointed by this incident.”

Ng said the goal is for the Air Force to suffer “zero crashes,” adding: “Comprehensive investigations are underway to ensure all contributing factors are identified and definitively addressed.” – Reuters