Pakistan Fighter Jet Crashes During Routine Training Sortie, Pilots Eject Before Impact

A Pakistan Air Force fighter jet crashed during a routine training mission near the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Attock district, with both pilots ejecting safely before impact.

The aircraft, identified as a JF-17 Thunder, reportedly went down after a suspected technical fault. Officials said both pilots managed to eject before the crash but sustained injuries. No civilian casualties were reported.

BREAKING: The Pakistan Air Force lost one of its FT-7PG advanced training jets today near Mianwali. The student pilot and instructor pilot ejected safely and survived. The aircraft was totally destroyed.

The cause of the accident was an engine failure. pic.twitter.com/oHj6hnn8IY

— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) May 20, 2026

Emergency services rushed to the site shortly after the incident, while local residents also gathered near the wreckage area, NDTV reported.

Videos circulating on social media showed the jet descending rapidly before a plume of thick smoke rose from the crash site. Moments later, the pilots were seen landing by parachute.

The crash has once again drawn attention to the safety record of the JF-17 fleet operated by Pakistan, particularly amid repeated incidents involving similar aircraft in recent years.

The JF-17 Thunder is a jointly developed fighter jet produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It forms a key part of the Pakistan Air Force’s frontline combat fleet and was designed as a lightweight, multi-role aircraft to replace older jets.

It is capable of carrying out a range of missions, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship operations and aerial reconnaissance. Defence sources describe it as a cost-effective platform built to strengthen Pakistan’s air capabilities.

The aircraft has also drawn international attention, with defence assessments noting its joint development and broad operational role in Pakistan’s military structure.