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Minnie Chan

A People's Liberation Army fighter jet crashed in Chengdu, Sichuan yesterday.
The pilot ejected safely but at least seven people were injured at the crash site, local media quoted witnesses as saying. The cause of the accident was not reported.
The jet, operated by the Chengdu military command and said to be a prototype of an advanced Jian 10-B fighter, may have been on a test flight.
It crashed into a residential compound in Pi county at about 2pm, Xinhua.net reported.
The China News Service said at least seven people suffering burns were taken to the county's People's Hospital. Staff refused to comment on the condition of the victims when contacted by the Sunday Morning Post.
The jet struck the newly constructed residential building before plunging into an artificial lake inside the compound. Witnesses' photos posted on Weibo showed the fighter jet's Russian-made engine lying in water, broken into two pieces.
The pictures also showed a middle-aged looking pilot sitting near a parachute, a helmet and other items recovered from the wreckage.
Military analysts believe the aircraft crashed minutes after taking off because the crash site is just 10km northwest of the central commercial district of Chengdu, which is also very close to an air force base.
Police sealed the scene soon after the pilot reported the crash and his whereabouts to his base, the Chengdu-based Huaxi Metropolis Daily reported on its Weibo, adding that he was taken away by a military vehicle a few minutes later.
Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said it was "good news" the pilot was able to parachute to safety. "It's lucky that the pilot was able to eject safely from his plane, and I believe he tried his best to avoid causing damage and casualties," Wong said.
Beijing-based military expert Li Jie said the pilot had been trained to land in sparsely populated areas in the event of an aircraft malfunction.
"There are many reasons why the jet crashed. It could have been an engine problem, loss of communications, even poor visibility, Li said, adding that yesterday's weather report mentioned heavy cloud over Chengdu.
Last December, a PLA pilot died after his single-seat Jian-8 fighter crashed in Anji county, Zhejiang , during a night exercise. There were no casualties reported on the ground.


PLA fighter jet on possible test flight crashes into building in Chengdu

Wreckage from the crashed PLA fighter jet burns at a residential compound in Chengdu yesterday. Photo: SCMP

Wreckage from the crashed PLA fighter jet burns at a residential compound in Chengdu yesterday. Photo: SMP

A prototype of Jian 10-B fighter. The multirole fighter aircraft is designed and produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Photo: airforceworld.com

News

China

A People's Liberation Army fighter jet crashed in Chengdu, Sichuan. The pilot ejected safely but at least seven people were injured at the crash site, local media quoted witnesses as saying.
