A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder jet crashed near Pindigheb, Attock during a routine training mission on Tuesday, the air force said in a statement. According to the statement, no loss of life was reported.
After flying in the air since 2017, a single-seater JF-17 Block II Serial No. 17-241 was lost to an accident on Tuesday, Sept 15, 2020.
The aircraft was from PAF No. 14 “Tail Choppers” Squadron based at PAF Base Minhas, Kamra, Attock. A bird strike is highly likely the reason behind it.
Fortunately, there are were casualties or damage to surrounding areas.
AHQ has initiated an inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
AHQ will also start talks with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex to replace this unit as soon as possible.
Martin-Baker confirmed that the company developed PK16LE ejection seat carried out the first successful ejection from the ill-fated JF-17 Block-2 Tail Number 17-241 which crashed near Pindigheb, Attock in Pakistan while the ill-fated aircraft was on a routine training sortie.
Martin-Baker said that they never celebrate the loss of any aircraft but the first successful ejection of any seat program gives them an enormous sense of pride in its products and Pilot’s life saved.
Each unit of JF-17 Thunder costs between $15-$25 million depending upon to configuration.
PAC Kamra purportedly has an annual production capability of about 24-25 JF-17 A & B models.
Myanmar Air Force already flies JF Thunders with a total of 16 jets ordered while Nigeria will soon receive three JF-17s.
The aircraft are rumored to be of a later version than the initially agreed sale, providing more advanced systems.
