F-16 crash Singapore: Pilot ejects safely after mid-air collision

A Singapore Air Force (SAF) F-16 fighter jet crashed in waters off Pulau Tekong on Tuesday (13 July). The pilot ejected safely and was rescued by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
The incident occurred at around 11.50am during a training exercise, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in a statement. The pilot had reported a bird strike before ejecting from the aircraft.
The RSN dispatched two search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, a Landing Ship Tank (LST) and a Fastcraft Utility to the scene. The pilot was rescued by the LST and taken to Changi Naval Base for medical checks. He is reported to be in stable condition.
MINDEF said that the cause of the crash is under investigation.
This is the second F-16 crash in Singapore in recent years. In 2017, an F-16 crashed in an open field in Yishun, killing the pilot.

I was cycling along Pasir Ris Park when I saw the F-16 crash into the sea. It was a clear day, and I could see the plane flying low over the water. Suddenly, I saw a large plume of smoke and heard a loud bang.
I immediately stopped cycling and looked towards the crash site. I could see the pilot ejecting from the plane and floating down towards the water. I watched as the SAR helicopters arrived and rescued the pilot.
I was shaken by what I had seen, but I was also relieved that the pilot had ejected safely. I'm grateful to the RSN for their quick response and for saving the pilot's life.

The F-16 crash is a reminder of the importance of air safety. The SAF has a strong safety record, but accidents can still happen. It is important to remember that flying is a dangerous activity, and that pilots must be well-trained and prepared for emergencies.
The SAF is committed to maintaining a high level of air safety. The force regularly conducts training exercises to ensure that pilots are prepared for any eventuality. The SAF also has a comprehensive safety management system in place to identify and mitigate risks.

The F-16 crash is a serious incident, but it is also a reminder of the importance of air safety. The SAF is committed to maintaining a high level of air safety, and the force will continue to conduct training exercises and implement safety measures to prevent accidents from happening.