Pakistan Air Force T-37 Trainer Jet Crashed
June 11, 2008

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft crashed in the Pir Garhi area near Mardan and the pilot was martyred.

The trainer T-37 aircraft came down near Mardan, a major city 60 kms northwest of Peshawar, capital city of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Pilot Officer Samman Riaz was on a routine solo mission in north of Risalpur when his aircraft faced technical difficulties. The reason why he didnt eject is uncertain. He was from the course currently under training on the T-37 at the PAF Academy Risalpur. His burial was carried out at his native town of Gujranwala.

As aspected officials say that the plane crashed due to technical fault. The Pakistan Air Force however has ordered an inquiry into the causes of the crash.

Officials said that the two-seater aircraft was on a solo mission. Witnesses said the aircraft had caught fire in the air before crashing into the fields. They said that a PAF chopper and officials reached the area immediately and recovered the body and collected pieces of the aircraft.

No loss of life or property was reported on ground. A board of inquiry has been ordered by the Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the accident.