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RSAF F-16 crashes at Tengah Air Base
May 8, 2024 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
On 8 May 2024, at 12.35h, a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 experienced an issue during take-off. The pilot safely ejected and the plane crashed thereafter within the confines of Tengah Air Base.
It is the first F-16 write-off for the RSAF since 2004 (and the 3rd overal) when a Peace Carvin II F-16C crashed during a night training sortie south of the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona, USA. The pilot, Lt. Loo Kwang Han, did not survive the crash.
The pilot of the F-16C block 52 (#96-5028 / PW F100) ejected from the fighter and no one else was hurt in the incident. The fleet is currently grounded for training flights.
The Singaporean Defense Ministry stated that the pilot was experienced, with over 2,000 flying hours on the F-16, but faced “flight controls issues” after lifting off from the runway.
Investigations are ongoing. The Ministry of Defence and the RSAF will provide updates on the incident as soon as they become available.
The Singapore Air Force is in the process of modernizing its F-16C/D fleet to the “Viper” standard under a mid-life upgrade program.
The Tengah Air Base, the most important airfield for the RSAF, is located in the western part of Singapore. It is home to all of RSAF’s Airborne early warning and control (AEWC) assets, two F-16C/D Squadrons (140th and 143rd) and the RSAF Black Knights – the official RSAF Aerobatic team with F-16Cs from various squadrons.
Tengah Air Base has a rich history. Before Singapore’s independence, it was a Royal Air Force (RAF) station known as RAF Tengah.
RSAF F-16A block 15 #880 from 140 sqn is coming in for landing with brakes opened at Tengah AB on February 26th, 1998. The aircraft was later transferred to Thailand as #10323. [Airliners.net photo by Fred Willemsen]
The pilot of the F-16C block 52 (#96-5028 / PW F100) ejected from the fighter and no one else was hurt in the incident. The fleet is currently grounded for training flights.
The Singaporean Defense Ministry stated that the pilot was experienced, with over 2,000 flying hours on the F-16, but faced “flight controls issues” after lifting off from the runway.
Investigations are ongoing. The Ministry of Defence and the RSAF will provide updates on the incident as soon as they become available.
The Singapore Air Force is in the process of modernizing its F-16C/D fleet to the “Viper” standard under a mid-life upgrade program.
The Tengah Air Base, the most important airfield for the RSAF, is located in the western part of Singapore. It is home to all of RSAF’s Airborne early warning and control (AEWC) assets, two F-16C/D Squadrons (140th and 143rd) and the RSAF Black Knights – the official RSAF Aerobatic team with F-16Cs from various squadrons.
Tengah Air Base has a rich history. Before Singapore’s independence, it was a Royal Air Force (RAF) station known as RAF Tengah.
Additional images:
RSAF F-16D block 52 #678 from 145 sqn is touching down on Lim Chu Kang road in an off base exercise on November 12th, 2016. [Airfighters.com photo by Gary Ng]
RSAF F-16D block 52 #668 from 145 sqn is flying alongside an Insian Su-30 during an exercise in December of 2016. [RSAF photo]
Republic of Singapore Air Force - Tengah Air Base patch
The airfield’s motto is “Always Vigilant.”
Its main motif features a black knight chess piece, symbolizing the aircraft’s operational readiness at Tengah.
The sword represents the heraldic sword of destruction in times of war, while the castle represents the state.
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- Singapore Air Force F-16 crashed on 08 May 2024 ( 5 replies)
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