The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) faced its first F-16 write-off since 2004 when a Lockheed Martin F-16 Blk. 52 crashed shortly after takeoff on May 8 at Tengah Air Base. Thankfully, the pilot ejected safely, and there were no other injuries. As a precaution, the fleet is currently grounded for training flights.
According to the Singaporean Defense Ministry (Mindef), the aircraft encountered an issue during takeoff, prompting the pilot to respond by ejecting from the fighter. The F-16 then crashed within the air base premises. The pilot, described as experienced with over 2,000 flying hours on the F-16, encountered flight control issues after taking off from the runway.
The RSAF operates 59 F-16C/D/D+ Blk. 52s, equipped with Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engines. Mindef is seeking clarification on the specific variant involved in the crash. Despite this incident, RSAF has maintained a commendable safety record, with the last F-16 hull loss occurring in 2004 during a night training sortie.
The ongoing modernization efforts by RSAF include upgrading its F-16 fleet to the “Viper” standard through a mid-life upgrade program. This incident underscores the importance of ongoing safety measures and the continuous improvement of aircraft systems to ensure the safety of pilots and personnel.
