Hungarian Gripen fighter jet catches fire during emergency landing

A Hungarian Air Force Gripen fighter jet was lost Monday after catching fire during an emergency landing near Szolnok, east of Budapest. The pilot managed to eject from the aircraft and sustained only minor injuries, according to officials.

"We have lost a very valuable aircraft," stated Hungarian Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi on social media. He confirmed the Gripen was armed at the time of the accident and praised the swift response of firefighters, which prevented a more serious incident.

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We have lost a very valuable aircraft.

Zsolt Sándor, Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Army, explained in a video statement that the aircraft issued distress signals following a maneuver near the Szolnok military airport. The jet had taken off from the nearby Kecskemét base. Sándor detailed that a loss of control system occurred during the maneuver, persisting until impact.

"On the ground, the aircraft performed another uncontrolled maneuver, and that's when the pilot decided to eject. Subsequently, the plane went off the runway and caught fire," Sándor said, noting the pilot's actions to avoid populated areas. The National Ambulance Service confirmed the pilot's stable condition with minor injuries. Hungary operates a fleet of 18 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets. Authorities are investigating the technical failure.

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On the ground, the aircraft performed another uncontrolled maneuver, and that's when the pilot decided to eject. Subsequently, the plane went off the runway and caught fire.