An air force F-5 fighter jet crashed during an annual tactical operations competition yesterday in Lop Buri, leaving the pilot, who ejected from the plane before the incident, severely injured.
AVM Prapas Sornchaidee, a spokesman for the air force, said the fighter, from Wing 21, crashed in the Ban Bua Chum area in tambon Bua Chum of Chai Badan district at 11.20am. The jet had been taking part in the weapons firing part of the competition near a training field in tambon Khao Laem in the same district, he said.
The plane reportedly crashed near a large pond. There was debris scattered around the area, and authorities cordoned off the wreckage site.
Before the crash, the pilot, wing commander Sutthimet Ouamma, 36, successfully ejected from the jet but sustained two broken legs and a broken left arm, AVM Prapas said, adding the airman was rushed to Chai Badan Hospital, where he is now in a stable condition.
The injured pilot is expected to be transferred to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital for further treatment, according to AVM Prapas.
The chief of the air force has expressed his deep concern for the injured pilot, AVM Prapas said, adding the air force's aircraft accident investigation committee has been ordered to check the damage at the scene of the crash and establish the cause.
It was reported that the crashed fighter jet was one of a fleet stationed at the base in Ubon Ratchathani. Before the incident, the pilot reportedly took off from a Wing 4 area in Nakhon Sawan's Takhli district to attend the competition, but the system was malfunctioning.
According to media reports, the fighter jet had been in service for more than four decades, but it had not received proper maintenance.
The plane was reportedly upgraded to be an "F-5TH Super Tigris" in 2018 along with a fleet of about 19 jets in Ubon Ratchathani.
The upgraded version of the F-5 T Tigris has improved combat, radar and datalink systems capabilities.
The air force plans to upgrade its F-5 fighter jets next year with a budget of about 3.2 billion baht.