By Thai Newsroom Reporters
FRIDAY’S INCIDENT IN WHICH an Air Force F-5 TH Super Tigris fighter crash-landed with the lone pilot jettisoning to safety in Lopburi was evidently caused by a stray big bird hitting the aircraft mid-air, said Air Force spokesman AVM Prapat Sonjaidee today (Dec. 5).
The unspecified, large-sized type of bird flew out of nowhere to hit the canopy of the jet fighter at 500-foot altitude, splashing blood on the windshield, causing Wg Cdr Suthimet Uamma to lose control of his aircraft and eject himself off during a tactical air exercise in Chai Badan district of the central province, AVM Prapat said.
The F-5 TH Super Tigris fighter was flying at a speed of 800 kilometres per hour when the incident suddenly occurred. The pilot who jettisoned with a parachute broke an arm and a leg upon landing while his aircraft crash-landed on a hillside terrain, according to the Air Force spokesman.
The modified jet fighter based at Wing 21 in Ubon Ratchathani was a two-seater aircraft but only one pilot was aboard at the time of the mishap.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Two of the Air Force’s F-5 TH Super Tigris fighters flying high. Photo: Aagth1.blogspot.com
Home Page: Wg Cdr Suthimet Uamma getting medical treatment after he bailed out of the fighter. Photo: Sanook.com
Earlier report: F-5 TH Super Tigris fighter crash-lands, pilot jettisons to safety
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