KAPAR – Local residents in Kapar, Klang, reported that the small plane that crashed today seemed to have exploded and broke in two while in the air before plummeting to the ground.
Nik Ibrahim Latif, 52, observed the incident from Kampung Tok Muda, Jalan Benteng Kanan, saying that the plane initially appeared stable for a moment before becoming unstable.
“The plane then exploded and broke in two in the air before plunging to the ground. The explosion generated a loud sound resembling lightning,” he said.
Another resident Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, 59, said that fragments of the plane’s wing fell on the roof of a nearby house.
“The wreckage of the plane hit the roofs of the residents in this area. There are fragments of a wing and a wheel present,” he said.
“It’s not far from where the plane crashed. I’m uncertain about the extent of damage suffered by the residents.”
Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed that no distress calls were recorded from the BK160 Gabriel light aircraft that crashed.
In a statement, CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Norazmam Mahmud said that the aircraft operated by the Air Adventure Flying Club had departed from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang at 1.28pm for a “recreational flight.”
“Last contact made by the aircraft with air control was 1.35pm, however, there was no distress call received.
“The Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (KLARCC) at the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) was immediately activated to determine the location of the aircraft,” Norazman said.
He added that a total of two individuals, including a pilot, were onboard the aircraft with an I-POOC registration number. Their condition has yet to be confirmed as of press time.
“The safety investigation will be conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Transport Ministry in accordance with Part 26 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.”
The Fire and Rescue Department, in a statement, said that they received a report on the incident at 1.56pm, and arrived at the scene 20 minutes later.
Search operations have been initiated. There have been no reports of casualties so far.
The plane crashed just a few hundred metres away from the residence of 55-year-old Jainaidi Nasiran, who has been a resident of Kg Tok Muda since childhood.
Jainaidi was working outside his house when he heard the sound of the plane’s engine.
“I heard the plane approaching from the east, and as time passed, the engine’s sound grew lower and closer to my home area. When I turned towards it, I realised the plane had crashed.
“There were no sparks from the crash site, but dust flew into the air upon impact,” he said.
At the time of the incident, Jainaidi was alone at home, while his mother and sister were at a nearby house. He only went to assess the plane’s condition when passersby hurried to the scene.
“Half of the fuselage is embedded in the ground. The crash site, within a 10-sq-ft area, is an oil palm plantation. Remarkably, the plane navigated between the trees, avoiding a collision with any of them.
“I didn’t hear any cries for help from the plane,” he added.
Jainaidi further explained that although aircraft frequently traversed the airspace in this region, this marked the first instance of a plane crashing here. He also confirmed that the wreckage of the plane fell approximately 1km from his house. – February 13, 2024