A Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter jet of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) crashed on Tuesday near the city of Natal, in northern Brazil, during military exercises.
Videos show the fighter jet flying at low altitude experiencing engine problems.
The pilot managed to eject and reached the ground safely. One of the videos circulating on social media shows a huge fireball and smoke rising in the distance.
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A second jet is seen flying near the area, possibly accompanying the failed aircraft.
Outro vídeo mostra o F-5 caindo em Natal e formando uma enorme nuvem de fumaça preta. É possível o que parece ser outro caça voando próximo. #FAB #F5 #Natal #Cruzex2024 pic.twitter.com/ofKqgHlUBp
— Airway (@AirwayBrasil) October 22, 2024
The lost aircraft had the registration FAB 4866 and underwent an upgrade program to the F-5EM standard.
The F-5 was part of the 1st Fighter Aviation Group (1º GAVCA), based at the Santa Cruz Air Base in Rio de Janeiro.
According to a statement from the Brazilian Air Force, “Before successfully ejecting the aircraft, the pilot directed it to an uninhabited area, where he was rescued by a Brazilian Air Force rescue team.”
The Brazilian Air Force deployed aircraft such as the F-5, F-39 Gripen and C-105 fighters to the Natal Air Base for Cruzex 2024, the largest military exercise in South America.
The event is being attended by around 100 aircraft from several countries.
The F-5 fighter is being replaced by the Gripen E/F and is expected to be decommissioned by 2028.
