9-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has announced the continuation of the temporary suspension of F-16 training flights pending investigations ensuring safety, as stated by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Thursday (May 9).
The decision to suspend operations came in the aftermath of an F-16 jet crash at Tengah Air Base shortly after departure for a routine training flight on Wednesday afternoon.
In its latest update regarding the incident, MINDEF confirmed the recovery of the crashed plane’s flight data recorder.
“The RSAF has retrieved the incident aircraft’s flight data recorder and is collaborating closely with the manufacturer of the F-16 fighter jet, Lockheed Martin, to analyse the recorded data,” stated the ministry.
MINDEF further disclosed that the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau from the Ministry of Transport will provide support for the investigation.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16, expressed gratitude for reports indicating the safe ejection of the pilot.
“We are on standby to provide assistance as required,” responded a spokesperson to inquiries regarding the company’s involvement in MINDEF’s investigations.
Additionally, MINDEF highlighted the implementation of a safety time-out on Thursday.
“Commanders throughout the RSAF conducted reviews of safety protocols and contingency measures within their units,” it elaborated.
“After the conclusion of the safety time-out, the RSAF will resume flight training on May 10, 2024, with the exception of the F-16 fleet.
“The RSAF maintains its operational readiness and stands prepared to defend Singapore’s airspace 24/7 utilizing its other air and ground-based assets.”
The aircraft crashed following the pilot’s encounter with “flight control issues” during takeoff, resulting in the pilot’s ejection with no significant injuries.
In the wake of the crash, MINDEF confirmed the temporary suspension of training for the RSAF’s F-16 fleet until investigations confirm the safety of resumption.
Singapore’s F-16s have been in service since 1998.
The most recent crash involving one of its fighter jets occurred in May 2004. An RSAF F-16C crashed during a night training mission in the US state of Arizona, claiming the life of its 25-year-old pilot.
The incident was attributed to human factors, with a board of inquiry concluding that the pilot may have experienced gravity-induced loss of consciousness or spatial disorientation, leading to the inability to recover the aircraft from an inverted position.
Singapore’s F-16s recently underwent a mid-life upgrade but are slated for retirement after the mid-2030s.
The country has identified the F-35 family of jets as potential replacements.
