The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed that a birdstrike caused the F/A-18D Hornet crash near Kuantan on August 21. According to RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris, the preliminary board of inquiry report revealed that the aircraft’s left engine failed after ingesting a large bird during take-off. The incident underscores ongoing risks faced by military aviation and highlights the importance of bird hazard management at airbases. Further investigations are ongoing to finalize the findings.
