18-8-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) was struck by tragedy when a Beechcraft Model 390 aircraft crashed into a road near the capital on Thursday, resulting in the loss of all eight individuals on board as well as two individuals on the ground. Malaysian air accident investigators have launched a comprehensive analysis of the incident, with a focus on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recovered from the wreckage.
The crash occurred in Selangor state, located west of the capital, and was marked by a fiery explosion upon impact. Video clips captured the horrifying scene as thick black smoke billowed from the crash site. The victims included six passengers and two flight crew members, alongside two motorists on the four-lane road, according to the authorities.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the CVR, which records cockpit interactions, was found on Thursday night. He emphasized the commitment to expedite investigations while ensuring a thorough analysis is conducted. The CVR captures vital information, including final conversations of the flight crew and various sounds within the cockpit.
“I have instructed for investigations to be sped up and done thoroughly. We will make the results public as soon as possible once analysis is concluded,” Minister Loke stated during a press briefing.
Malaysian police chief Razarudin Husain revealed that the aircraft, akin to certain other small planes, was equipped solely with a CVR and lacked a flight data recorder. The search operations, constituting 95% completion, are slated to conclude shortly.
“So far, we have recovered all human remains of the victims,” assured Husain.
The ill-fated flight, which originated from the northern resort island of Langkawi, was en route to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Selangor at the time of the crash, according to civil aviation authority chief Norazman Mahmud.
Eyewitness accounts provide a glimpse into the tragic sequence of events. Mohamad Syahmie Mohamad Hashim, a former member of the Malaysian air force, recounted the erratic flight pattern he observed before the crash. He recounted how the aircraft was flying unevenly, followed by a deafening explosion. Rushing to the scene, he encountered debris from the wreckage and tragically witnessed a human body engulfed in flames.
Transport chief Loke earlier indicated that the aircraft had been granted clearance for landing but deviated from the designated flight path, ultimately leading to the crash.
