The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet accident on Aug 21 was caused by a bird entering the aircraft’s left engine during take-off at the Kuantan Air Base, said RMAF chief Norazlan Aris.

The RMAF’s inquiry board identified the cause as a purple heron that flew across the runway at the time of the incident, he added.

Norazlan noted that