A huge fireball was seen erupting over a Malaysian airport after a jet smashed into the ground just seconds after take-off.
Footage from the southeast Asian nation’s Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport appears to show sparks flying from the jet as it left the runway.
Footage from Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport appears to show sparks flying from the jet as it left the runway
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Local police later confirmed the pair were immediately rushed to Tengku Ampuam Afzan Hospital nearby.
The fighter plane was part of the Royal Malaysian Air Force fleet.
The RMAF then said in a statement: “We would like to inform you of an accident involving an F/A-18D Hornet at 9.05pm, August 21 at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan.
“We are taking immediate action and will update on the latest development.”
PLANE CRASH HORROR – READ MORE:
The RMAF confirmed an ‘accident’ had taken place at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport (pictured)
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One witness told local news agency Bernama: “After the explosion, I could see flames in the airport and smoke billowing.
“Initially there was a fire burning, but then there was an explosion and the blaze got intense.”
Other onlookers said the dramatic crash sounded like a missile strike – and was heard for miles around.
Initial reports had hinted the jet was a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet – though the RMAF statement clarified it was instead a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D jet.
It comes just months after the deadly Air India crash earlier this year.
While its cause is still yet to be determined, a preliminary report has found that the switches which controlled fuel going into the engines were cut off just after take-off.
PICTURED: A McDonnell Douglas F-18D Hornet similar to the one involved in Thursday’s crash
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