An Iran Air Force Northrop F-5F 3-7168 (coded 50695) crashed under unknown circumstances in a residential area of Tabriz, Iran. Both pilots and a person on the ground died in the crash.
The aircraft was reportedly returning to Tabriz Aiport (TBZ/OITT) due to ‘technical problems.
Initial reports suggest the fighter has crashed near a school.
Mohammad Baqer Honarbar, a provincial official, told IRNA that two pilots and one civilian are said to be killed in the crash. The names of the martyrs: Hanifazad & Fallahi
An investigation is underway, the state broadcaster said.
The official news agency IRNA posted on its website video footage showing firefighters putting out a blaze at the crash site.
Iran’s airforce has mostly Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets that date back to the Soviet era, as well as some Chinese aircraft.
Some American F-4 and F-5 fighter jets dating back to before the 1979 Islamic revolution are also part of its air fleet.
