A USA aircraft crash on 21 August 2025
**Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornet Crashes at Kuantan Airbase, Pilots Eject Safely** Kuantan, Pahang – On the night of August 21, 2025, a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet crashed during takeoff at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport, Kuantan Airbase, marking the first loss of an F/A-18D in the RMAF’s history. The incident, which occurred at approximately 9:05 PM during a routine night training flight, saw the aircraft catch fire and explode on the runway. Both the pilot and the weapons system officer ejected safely and were promptly taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for medical evaluation. ### Incident Details According to official statements from the RMAF, the twin-seat F/A-18D Hornet was conducting a scheduled training exercise when the accident occurred. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media depicted a fiery explosion on the runway, with flames and thick smoke billowing from the crash site. The dramatic footage, widely sha...