The planes, moments before two of them collided. Photo / Still from YouTube video by Azlan Ismail
The planes, moments before two of them collided. Photo / Still from YouTube video by Azlan Ismail
Two planes from an Indonesian acrobatic air team collided mid-air and crashed in Malaysia on Sunday during a practice session for a show, causing all four pilots to parachute to safety.
A Malaysian defence official said the pilots from both planes ejected from their aircraft after losing control of thejets and landed safely with their parachutes.
Footage from the event, held on Kangawi Island, shows the two planes clipping wings before one of the aircraft bursts into flames and nose-dives out of view, with its pilots floating in the air.
A house and car caught fire due to falling debris from the plane, but there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries on the ground, according to a statement from the air show's organisers.
The four pilots are currently under observation at a hospital in Langkawi.
Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein visited them at the hospital and tweeted: "Thankful that all 4 pilots are safe, their spirits remained high."
The Indonesian team is one of five scheduled to perform at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, set for March 17-21.
