RSAF F-16 training temporarily suspended in wake of Tengah Air Base crash

SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has temporarily suspended training for its F-16 fleet “as a safety precaution” after one of its jets crashed at Tengah Air Base shortly after taking off on Wednesday afternoon (May 8).

Training has been halted until investigations show that it is safe to resume, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said late on Wednesday.

The ministry said earlier that the plane had experienced “an issue” during take-off at about 12.35pm.

The pilot, who ejected from the plane before it crashed, did not suffer major injuries.

“He is ambulant, conscious and talking. But as a precaution, (he) will stay in hospital for observation,” Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post. 

In an update on Wednesday night, MINDEF added the pilot had undergone a full medical examination, which did not reveal any major injuries.

“The serviceman is an experienced pilot with over 2,000 flying hours on the F-16 aircraft,” said the ministry.

“According to the pilot, he encountered flight control issues upon lifting off the runway at Tengah Air Base for a routine training flight.”

Detailed investigations are ongoing, said MINDEF.