CHILDREN have been left screaming in terror after a fighter jet plunged from the sky, bursting into flames during a military airshow. 
 
 Families watched on in horror as the jet ditched towards earth, sending a huge plume of flames and smoke into the air while performing stunts for the crowd. 
 
 Pongsiri Thammaroekrit 5 The fighter jet went up in flames after crashing during an aerial show in Thailand 
 
 The pilot, 34-year-old Group Captain Dilokrit Pattavee was killed in the crash, which happened in the southern city of Hat Yai during Thailand’s annual Children’s Day celebrations. 
 
 It is understood that theRoyal Thai Air Force pilot was performing stunts in a Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jet when it crashed on Saturday morning. 
 
 Defence ministry spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantravanich told AFP: “One pilot was killed in the accident this morning.” 
 
 Pongsiri Thammaroekrit 5 Hundreds of spectators screamed as a plume of smoke rose into the air 
 
 Pongsiri Thammaroekrit 5 The jet, a Swedish-made 39C Gripen, was performing stunts for the Children’s Day 
 
 SWNS:South West News Service 5 Group Captain Dilokrit Pattavee was killed in the crash during the Children’s Day air show 
 
 Hundreds of people had gathered to see the aerial show on Saturday. 
 
 In a video of the crash, the crowds can be heard screaming when flames are sent shooting into the air. 
 
 Fire crews rushed to the site with flights diverted to the nearby Krabi airport. 
 
 Stunned onlooker Penwipha Thuanthong said: ”It was scary. The poor pilot. I didn’t know if it was part of the show when he was flying towards the ground. 
 
 “But he didn’t change direction then suddenly is killed. It was a tragedy. My children didn’t know what had happened and I had to explain to them. 
 
 “He had been only married for a short time, life is just not fair.” 
 
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 The Prime Minister has since expressed his condolences to the pilot, who was married three years ago, and his family. 
 
 Authorities are now investigating just what happened with a separate committee reportedly set up to lead the inquiry. 
 
 Pongsiri Thammaroekrit 5 The Prime Minister has now expressed his condolences for the family of the pilot killed in the crash 
 
 No one else was injured in the crash. 
 
 A Royal Thai Air Force spokesman said: “The Air Chief Marshal would like to express his deepest sorrow at the events that occurred. 
 
 “The aircraft accident investigation unit and associated authorities in the area will investigate further to find out why this happened.” 
 
 Thailand’s national Children’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of January. 
 
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– A Thai air force pilot died when his fighter jet crashed at an air show Saturday during the country's Children's Day, the AP reports. Amateur video footage shows the JAS 39 Gripen jet maneuvering over the Hat Yai air base in southern Thailand when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed in a ball of fire away from spectators. The Ministry of Defense was investigating the cause of the crash. Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipakerachon said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed condolences to the pilot's family. Children's Day is usually observed with public outings at military bases. The Sun says hundreds of spectators were in attendance.