Technical problems of fuselage cause of Hawk 108 crash

KUANTAN: Technical problems of the fuselage have been confirmed to be the cause of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Hawk 108 M40-02 crash in Chukai, Terengganu, last June 15, killing both its pilots.

RMAF chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang said the special investigation team set up following the incident had identified the problems after inspecting the aircraft wreckage.

“Inspections were carried out and improvements made to the RMAF’s other Hawk 108 aircraft upon knowing the problems, as outlined by the standard operating procedures to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.

“Two Hawk 108 aircraft were also put through the test and ascertained to be in good condition. We will make improvements on all similar aircraft in stages.”

Affendi said this at a press conference after the pinning of the quartermaster wing on 31 RMAF personnel and two members of the Army’s air team at a ceremony held at the RMAF base yesterday.

He also confirmed that the latest findings had been conveyed to the next-of-kin of Major Yazmi Mohamed Yusof, 39, and Major Mohd Hasri Zahari, 31, the two pilots killed in the crash during a flight training exercise.

They had reportedly left the base at 11am but lost communication with the control tower 30 minutes later and their bodies were found in a forest swamp in Chukai about 2.30pm the same day.

On another development, Affendi said the RMAF was expected to shift its Air Command One headquarters to Kuantan from Sungai Besi in Kuala Lumpur early next year as the area is part of the Bandar Malaysia project.