J-7 fighter of PLA Air Force crashes in Guangdong

The reporters learnt from the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and related departments under the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that a J-7 fighter which was still climbing just after its take-off encountered a mechanical failure, got out of control and crashed at 09:00 on December 4, 2012 in the suburbs of Shantou City of south China's Guangdong province when a troop unit of the air force under the Guangzhou Military Area Command (MAC) of the PLA was organizing a routine flight training. The pilot ejected from the fighter and successfully parachuted before the crash.

The crash injured four civilians and they were hospitalized at once. Military and local leaders showed great concern over the injured people and currently are organizing medical institutions to provide them with timely and effective treatment.