- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
4 killed, 10 injured in PAF training aircraft collision
Planes were being used for flight formation manoeuvre training of pilots, sources said.
Planes were being used for flight formation manoeuvre training of pilots, sources said. PHOTO: AFP
NOWSHERA: At least four people were killed and 10 were injured when two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training airplanes collided in mid-air and fell on nearby houses in the Risalpur area of Nowshehra on Thursday, Express News reported.
Of the four people killed, squadron leaders Syed Masood Rizvi and Zaigham Abbas were instructors and flight lieutenant Mustafa and squadron leader Moazzam were trainee pilots, whereas among the injured, three were reported to be children and one was a woman, sources said.
Sources said that both planes were being used for flight formation manoeuvre training, which coincided with reports from eye witnesses who reported that the crash was caused when the planes collided in mid-air.
According to eye witnesses, the wings of both the airplanes collided with each other, setting the aircraft on fire, which caused them to crash on two houses below, destroying their roofs.
“Two PAF trainer aircraft collided mid-air. Four pilots were killed, two were trainee pilots and two were instructors,” district police officer Mohammad Hussain said.
“One of the aircraft crashed over a house, injuring a girl and an elderly man, and the second plane crashed in the fields.”
Another police official, Hayatullah, who used only one name, confirmed the casualties.
Security forces cordoned off the area and locals began rescue efforts. The injured were shifted to district Mardan Hospital and investigations are underway.
Initial reports say the aircraft were the Mushshak, a basic training airplane used by PAF, six of which were lost to crashes in August 2008, March 2009, September 2009, April 2010, December 2010 and June 2011.
Earlier in February, two people were killed in an aircraft crash in the Model Town area of Lahore.
View more pictures of the incident here.
Reader Comments (55)
Pakistan Latest Stories
Special Judicial Allowance: Court reserves judgment in FTO’s case
Counsel argues AGP cannot reverse a privilege accorded by president.
Bogus Universities: HEC disowns illegal institutes
HEC has advised students to ensure the university’s status from HEC website before seeking admission, says an official
Solo exhibition: Brazilian artist on the conflict within
Explores the mundane and difficult emotion through stylised art.
Dubious degrees: Aspiring medical students cautioned against institutes
PMDC warns unregistered medical institutions of stern action.
Analysis: It’s time for a third birth of the MQM
The party has witnessed several major overhauls in the past as well.
‘It is not easy being a whale in any society’
15 whale and dolphin experts gather at a workshop on conserving cetacean species.
Musical evening: Soulful retreat into timeless melodies
Sounds of tabla, dholak and matka complement powerful vocals.
Government schools: IHC moved against shortage of textbooks
“To receive education is a fundamental right of students, which is being neglected,” says petitioner.
The limits to patience: when a simple task becomes a herculean one
A student from Peshawar speaks of his travails with inept officials during a visit to the capital.
Chronic malnutrition: Educate people, respect constitution to overcome malaise, says speakers
Over 1.5 million children suffering; country on the cusp of a ‘demographic nightmare’.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
Targeted: 2 police officials killed, 2 injured in Quetta
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
God!Allah rahem kare ..
Recommend
Such is the risk inherent in aggressive training missions like of the PAF. RIP to the pilots who gave their lives for a thankless nation.
Recommend
Inna Lillah-e- Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajioon,
Fare ye well, commarades. May your souls rest in peace and your families find solace.
Recommend
We train the best…
Recommend
Sad! May their souls rest in eternal peace! Aameen.
Recommend
AOA
Have the names of the pilots been told yet..??
An early reply would be highly appreciated..!!
THANK YOU.
Regards
Recommend
Inna-lillah… May the shaheeds rest in peace. And all the best of health for those who were injured.
Recommend
Rest in Peace
Inna Lillah-e Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajioon
Recommend
How did the instructors let it happen? Obviously they were not doing their job.
Recommend
Bad patch continues on army………. Generals & ISI should repent from their sins and concentrate on their duties……….
Recommend
May Allah bless them.
Pakistani airspace is becoming more vulnerable to accidents :(
Recommend
We have the new PIA MD, an ex Air Force Chief, God bless us.
Recommend
This is really saddening. PAF has faced around 4-5 crashes during this year which is very unfortunate. May pilots rest in peace!!!
Recommend
Most unfortunate.
Recommend
Inalliahi wa ina ilyhi rajioon! This is very tragic.
Recommend
Sad , looks like a training accident. Four precious lives lost, terrible for the families.
Recommend
Why do they conduct such training excersise over populated areas? Accidents happen but if such an accident had happened over barren land (we have enough of it) there would have been no casualty on the ground. May allah grant the poor souls who died a place in heaven.
Recommend
Why to allow such flights over residential areas
Recommend
planes collision in air. serious pilot mistake
Recommend
@Arsalan Amir:
The names are in the report above.
Recommend
@Arsalan Amir:
Here are the names: Sqn Ldr Masood, Sqn Ldr Zaigham, Sqn Ldr Moazzam and Flt Lt Mustafa
Recommend
@Umer
Its so easy for you to blame the instructors. I don’t think they would risk their lives by not doing their job right. Planes aside, even a car in the hands of a trainee driver is risky on road. These people take risks to train best pilots in the world. Yet their are people like you who are always ready to demotivate.
Recommend
@ Feroze
As the name suggests an accident can happen anywhere. Even civilian airliners go low over residential areas during take off / landing.
Formation flying is tricky and dangerous , errors of judgement can happen not to mention wind conditions that can affect small low powered aircrafts.
Recommend
@khalsa:
What makes you the expert on the issue, Two of the them were Flight Lieutenants and two Squadron Leaders, they were in training to be Instructors at Risalpur. The wings touched in mid air, These maneuvers are difficult and dangerous. They died doing their duty, God Bless them, And Miss “Sonya” this was a pure accident, what does Air Chief has to do any thing with it.
PAF in its resources is operating an obsolete fleet. When planes are nicknamed “Widow Makers” than what do you expect…
Recommend
It is a Sixth crash of PAF in Seven months. In every 35 days now we have one crash. Just like other institutes PAF is on the downfall as well and with every crash we are actually losing a machine of billions of rupees.
Recommend
Hazards of profession. It happens.
Recommend
In a very short period of time, many accidents have taken and taking place this year (Avalanche, Bhoja air plane crash, etc), which are adding more injuries to the already injured…May Allah forgive us, correct us and guide us to straight path! (Ameen)
Recommend
It seems as if
this could have generated through cyber attack
onto these planes control systems by our nearby enemy or far flunged enemy we trust most.
Making us suffer in huge assset’s losses (personnel& planes.)
Innaa Lillaahe Wa Innaa Ilaihe Raajeoon.
Recommend
Sad & tragic incident! RIP
But I think Pak should not buy these cheap and below standards jets from China and try to get better trainer jets from other countries.
Recommend
@Arsalan Amir:
ALLAH un ko jana t ul fardos my jaga dy.Ameen.
one of pilot from haripur.and his name is MASOOD. he was senior in my college.he had only one sister,mum and dad.
Recommend
@Umer: May be pilots were busing texting eachother instead of doing the job properly right??? people like you only know how to criticise!
Recommend
@Umer: How conveniently you passed your verdict! Not doing their jobs!!! Can you risk your life, just like that?
Recommend
RIP . I lack knowledge but can anyone tell , is there no mean for pilots to escape ? Parachute ?Recommend
This is terrible.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiyoun. May Allah bless the Shaheeds with eternal peace.
PAF is one of the best air forces in the world, pilot is stretched to his limits both mentally and physically
Recommend
Our sincere condolences to the bereaved families. May God grant them the strength to bear this great and irreparable loss and may the souls of these brave be in PEACE
Recommend
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiyoun!
May our Falcons rest in Peace!! :’(
Recommend
@ citizen: These trainer aircraft’s do not have any ejecting system in place and without that pilots do not have any way to escape.
Recommend
lack of modern training – non existence of new methodogology marrd many institutions, paf is no exception – killing of four ‘fighter’ is a big blow – enquiry, if ever conducted, made public.
Recommend
Airblue crash + Bhoja airline crash + PAF Mirage crashed and now PAF trainers crashed. Where are we going.
Recommend
@Umer:
Don’t speak ill of the departed, man. Obviously, it was a human error. Nobody wants to die, now do they? May their soul rest in peace and May Allah have mercy on this nation. Ameen.
Recommend
Bad days to fly in pk. May Allah bless our armed forces.
Recommend
inna lillahi wa inna ilaehi rajioon
Recommend
The basic question to be ask here is “why the PAF Pilots were practising manoeuvrings over such a crowded place?
Recommend
Wat wz trainer doing? Coffee?? details investigation need to be held about this issue
Recommend
May Allah rest their soul in peace and bless the grieving family to bear this demise. Plz read Surah Fatiha for the departed souls.
Recommend
i am in a great shock to hear this news about sq leader zaigham abbas… bcoz in 2005 wen i was making a documentary for 6th September.. i had a fortune 2 shoot at Maripur base.. and i had to take some comments from young soldiers of army, navy and air force.. i had a fortune 2 shoot at Maripur base…. at that time dis gentleman was fl lt zaigham abbas… and he gave a very motivational message for the enemies of Pakistan… I still recall his words’ “KHUDA EK BAAR HUMAIN MOQA DAY KAY TO DEKHAY.. PHER HAMARA DUSHMAN BHEE JAN JAAYE GA…”…
TUMHAIN WATAN KE FAZAAIN SALAM KEHTEE HAIN.
Recommend
My cousin Sqd Ldr Zaigham was flying F-16′s before he was posted in risalpur as an instructor so there is no doubt that he was one of the best pilots around.
Keep in mind that these small trainee planes are very light and the wind conditions can cause them to move around. So when two planes are flying in close formation accidents can happen.
He has left behind a young widow and two son’s. The elder one is 2 years old and the younger one is 8 mnths.
My sister argued with him last year to stop flying, his exact words were “it is the death of a fighter pilot if he stops flying”. These guys fly coz they are passionate about what they do and there is no doubt that they take it seriously.
Recommend
I’m surprise to see all the comments in which the instructors are blamed. What makes these people to give such strong negative verdict… who have no to less knowledge of flying!!!!
My brother in law’s first cousin Sqd Ldr Masood Rizvi was flying F-16 like Sqd Ldr Zaigham. So what’s the question on their expertise or professionalism??? He was hardly 32 years old. Such a thorough gentleman!!!.Only son of his parents!!! Married a couple of year back, left behind a widow and 9 months old daughter.
Recommend
@khadija mahmood:
could u please provide me with the link or the footage of the documentary you made. it would mean a lot to me and my family.
Recommend
@abbas ali sure… it was for indus plus channel… i will upload his clip insha Allah… and will let u knw the link.. coz it was on aired for 2 years on sept 6th… we have shown his different activities… i wish i could save the unedited cd in which he was getting himself ready for flying…. bt i will definitely try 2 find out tht as well…
and let me tell u.. its not only yrs and yr family’s loss… heroes are assets of the whole nation.. stay blessed…
Recommend
@khadija mahmood:
thanks
Recommend
Plz don't just pass comments on training or trainers of PAF. You don't know the real worth of theses defenders of the motherland. You don't know how they sweat to make all of us safe. You can't even imagine the tough training that they go through. While boys of their age enjoy life outside they get training to be the defenders and positively the tough training enables them to be valiant fighters with vigor and love for their motherland. It is not easy to face death. It is positively not at all easy to train yourself for accepting that you might be killed in any mission.You haven't seen young boys groomed into brave and courageous lions ready to take enemies head-on.
RecommendCan anybody related to these four martyrs tell me their Course No as 104/106/108/112 GD(P) ??
@U. Nasir: As a retired fauji from across the border i second your views. However i do feel sad for these young lives lost, after 64yrs we have not grown up as nations that is why we need the sacrifice of young blood to sustain our sense of nationhood.
Recommend
@U. Nasir: im pretty sure Zaigham bhai was from 109 GDP
Recommend
@Madiha R.: aameen
Recommend