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TNI-AU F-16C catches fire before take-off

April 16, 2015 (by Asif Shamim) - A TNI-AU F-16C block 25, serial #TS-1643 caught fire just before take-off today at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

TNI-AU F-16C block 25 #TS-1643 is seen being lifted off the runway after catching fire at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta on April 16th, 2015. [TNI-AU photo]

The pilot escaped with minor burn injuries and is being treated in a local hospital after leaping from the blazing F-16 aircraft, which was about to take off around 08.20hrs local time.

“As the aircraft was about to take off, there was a fire in the engine, and the pilot straight away decided to abort the flight,” air force chief of staff Agus Supriatna said on news channel MetroTV.

“The pilot was rushed to hospital but he is conscious,” he added.

Military spokesman Fuad Basya said the airman suffered a minor injury as he jumped from the cockpit.

He said an investigation into the incident had been launched.

The plane had been due to take off from a Jakarta airbase with three other jets, which took off successfully, in preparation for security support at the summit of Asian and African leaders in Indonesia next week.


Additional images:

TNI-AU F-16C block 25 #TS-1643 is seen after the fire has been put out at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta on April 16th, 2015. [Photo by Swaragama FM]