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PAF Trainer Jet Crashes Near Mardan, Two Pilots Killed

Air Headquarters has opened a board of inquiry to find the cause, intensifying scrutiny of military aviation safety after a deadly Mi-17 accident last week.

Overview

  • A Pakistan Air Force Super Mushshak trainer crashed on a routine training sortie near Katlang Road in Mardan, killing both crew members and prompting immediate rescue and recovery operations.
  • The military identified the deceased as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the PAF and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy.
  • Reports differ on civilian injuries with several outlets and local officials saying two people were hurt while others report three wounded; authorities say injured civilians were taken to Mardan Medical Complex for treatment.
  • Air Headquarters has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the technical or operational cause, and senior military and political leaders issued public condolences to the families.
  • The accident, which newspapers reported on Monday, follows a June 10 Mi-17 army helicopter crash and has renewed questions about maintenance, ageing aircraft and training safety that investigators are expected to examine.