KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15: The Ministry of Transport today disclosed the preliminary report by its agency, Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), on the Beechcraft 390 Premier 1 aircraft that crashed at Elmina, Shah Alam on Aug 17 this year.
According to the Preliminary Report, which comes following the successful retrieval of data from the ill-fated aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) in Florida, US, as well as collection of other materials for investigation, the “Initial analysis of the recovered CVR recording has provided critical leads to uncovering the cause of the accident, with a focus on the aircraft flight control systems.”
It said that the results from the pending inspection and examination of the related aircraft parts and
components at the NTSB and OEM laboratories would be necessary to provide collaborative
and/or conclusive evidence in establishing the cause of the accident.
A final report, covering the possible causes on the accident, is expected no later than August 2024, a press statement issued by the ministry said today.
Among the preliminary findings of the investigation were:
The pilot was licensed and qualified for the flight in accordance with existing regulations.
The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had been maintained in compliance with the regulations.
The incident happened in day time with reported clear visibility and fine meteorological conditions.
There was no evidence of incapacitation or physiological factors that affected the flight crew performance.
The accident was not survivable due to the magnitude of the deceleration force and the post-crash fire.
The Preliminary Report, which will be regarded as tentative, is subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available is in compliance with the standards of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO Annex 13), MoT said.
The Preliminary Report in full can be downloaded at this link:
https://www.mot.gov.my/en/aviation/reports/a05-23
The Final Report of the investigation will be completed no later than August 2024, in accordance with the ICAO Annex 13, which allows for a 12-month period to finalise the document following the accident.
The Aug 17 plane crash claimed 10 lives, including 8 passengers and crew on board the aircraft and 2 motorists on ground. The plane had departed from Langkawi International Airport and crashed just two minutes before landing time in Subang Airport.
— WE