The Xian JH-7 lightweight fighter-bomber aircraft of  People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), has crashed in Liuzhou Guangxi province.

The fate of the crew of a Chinese JH-7 that crashed in Guangxi province today is unknown but emergency services are on the scene.

Xian JH-7 or Jian Hong-7 is a twin engine, lightweight fighter-bomber aircraft designed and manufactured by Xian Aircraft Industry Corporation, China to meet the requirements of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Its NATO reporting name is Flounder. It was built to replace the Chinese ageing fleet of Harbin H-5 and Nanchang Q-5 aircraft.

The export version of two seat JH-7 fighter is known as the FBC-1 (Fighter Bomber China-1) Flying Leopard. The maiden flight was completed in December 1988 and the aircraft entered into service in 1992. About 70 JH-7 aircraft are currently operational worldwide. The aircraft can operate day and night in all weather conditions.