Pilot dies in aircraft crash in Muar
JASIN: A pilot was killed while his co-pilot was injured after a GT500 Microlight aircraft crashed in Sungai Mati, Muar, Johor, at about 11.30am yesterday.
The body of Yee Yoon Fah, 54, was sent to Tangkak Hospital while co-pilot Mohd Shahrul Shafiri, 35, who suffered injuries in the face and body, was rushed to Muar Hospital for treatment.
Deputy Supt Kamaruzaman Mohd Din of Melaka Fire and Rescue Department said the one engine aircraft had just left Sungai Rambai Aerodrome, about 200 metres away, when the crash occured.
“We (Fire & Rescue Department) received a distress call at 11.53am from kampung folks. Three fire trucks were rushed to the scene,” he told reporters.
Kamaruzaman said on arrival at the scene of the crash, the firefighters found that the aircraft had turned turtle in the river.
“The injured co-pilot was found on the river bank. Firefighters took about 15 minutes to extricate the pilot’s body from the aircraft,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sungai Rambai Aerodrome chairman Datuk Hassan Abd Rahman said that he was told that the aircraft was undergoing tests to obtain a flying licence from Departrment of Civil Aviation (DCA).
“The operation of Sungai Rambai Aerodrome has ceased immediately until the investigation of the crash by the authorities are completed,” said Hassan, who is also the Sungai Rambai State Assemblyman.
Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said he has directed the parties involved to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report
We want to know whether they complied with safety regulations before being allowed to fly and the cause of the crash. It maybe due to technical error or factors such as the weather, communications and so on. — Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Melaka Chief Minister
on the crash.
“We want to know whether they complied with safety regulations before being allowed to fly and the cause of the crash. It maybe due to technical error or factors such as the weather, communications and so on.
“We will wait for the report first, we are confident police and the Department of Civil Aviation will prepare a thorough report on the crash,” he said when met at an event in Ayer Keroh.
The state government had advised flying enthusiasts to put safety first to avoid untoward incidents. — Bernama