15-9-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) The preliminary findings of the investigation into the August 17 crash of the Beechcraft Model 390 Premier 1, en route from Langkawi to Subang, state that the pilot was qualified for the flight in accordance with regulations.
The Transport Ministry’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on Friday morning, stating that the aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate and had been maintained in compliance with regulations.
According to the report, there is no evidence of incapacitation or physiological factors that affected the performance of the flight crew. However, the transcript of the last 30 minutes of the voice recording from the cockpit has not been released, despite the successful recovery of data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
The report mentioned that the initial analysis of the recovered CVR recording has provided crucial leads in determining the cause of the accident, with particular focus on the aircraft flight control systems. The report also highlighted the importance of pending inspections and examinations of related aircraft parts and components at the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) laboratories in the United States to provide collaborative and conclusive evidence regarding the accident’s cause.
In an accompanying statement, the Transport Ministry expressed gratitude to the NTSB and Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) for their assistance in the investigation through their respective accredited representatives and technical advisors.
The ministry emphasized that the preliminary report represents an initial finding that is believed to be accurate up to the time of publication. It stated that the report should be considered tentative and subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available.
The progress of the investigation will heavily rely on the 30-minute voice recording from the CVR. The crash, which occurred in fine weather, resulted in the loss of ten lives. Among the victims were six passengers and two crew members on board the aircraft. Additionally, a ride-hailing rider and an e-hailing driver who were on the road in front of the Elmina township in Shah Alam, Selangor, also lost their lives. Notably, one of the passengers was Datuk Seri Johari Harun, the chairman of the Pahang local government, housing, environment, and green technology committee.
