World News
Hungarian military pilot ejects safely after Gripen fighter jet crashes
The Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen crashed near the city of Szolnok during an apparent training exercise.
The short version
- A Hungarian air force JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet crashed on Monday near the central city of Szolnok.
- The pilot successfully ejected and sustained no injuries.
- Military officials and the chief of staff are investigating the cause of the incident.
Key facts
- A Hungarian military JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet crashed on Monday near the city of Szolnok in central Hungary.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi reported that the pilot was alive and uninjured following a successful ejection.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- According to the defense minister, the pilot appeared to take measures to ensure the aircraft crashed onto military property.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Szolnok Mayor Mihály Győrfi stated that the pilot was likely conducting a routine training flight at a helicopter base outside the city.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Hungary has a fleet of 18 JAS 39 Gripen fighters, including 14 acquired starting in 2001 and four delivered this year.[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The precise cause of the crash remains unknown, pending the outcome of an official investigation.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Sources
- Hungarian air force Gripen jet crashes, pilot ejects safely, prime minister saysABC News - International
- Hungarian air force Gripen jet crashes, pilot ejects safely, prime minister saysAssociated Press