Cops: Engine failure forced RMAF plane to make emergency landing

KUALA SELANGOR: A case of engine failure forced the crashed Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) aircraft to attempt an emergency landing on a swampy beach here Friday morning, say police.

The twin-engine plane left the Subang Air Force Base at about 8.30am for a routine training session and issued a mayday about 10 minutes into the flight.

The crew, led by pilot Major Mohd Azri Yacob, 41, then made an emergency landing in shallow waters in a swampy beach area near Taman Malawati Utama.

A fire broke out in the mid-section of the light plane upon impact.

Co-pilot Major Ahmad Syazwan Mohammed, 32, broke his left arm during the incident, while the rest of the crew escaped without major injuries.

Kuala Selangor OCPD Supt Ruslan Abdullah said that a fisherman drowned while trying to help them out of the CN235 aircraft.

He said that the fisherman, part of a group around the area at the time who rushed to give help, drowned because his foot got stuck in the mud.

Those on the plane were Major Muhamed Afizan Jaafar, 32; Capt Nurul Azrie Rofdi, 32; Leftenan Meor Ahmad Ali Meor Abdul Wahab, 26; Warrant Officer 2 Muhd Sayfull Neezam Abdul Manan, 35; Sergeant David Tonge, 35 and Sergeant Suhaila Pathil, 33.

The crew and the deceased fisherman were brought to the Tanjong Karang Hospital and the RMAF officers were flown back to the Subang base.

"RMAF are investigating the cause of the accident and will remove the plane from the crash site, which has become stuck in the sand.

"It could take up to two days. The police and Bomba will remain here to render any help to RMAF," Supt Ruslan said.

Taman Malawati Utama resident Zulkifli Mat Sakam, who lives about 500m from the crash site, said RMAF jets flying over his neighbourhood was a common sight.

"I was in my house at about eight in the morning when I heard a very strange noise – not an explosion but more like an object hitting the ground.

"Then I went out and I saw a lot of smoke coming from there.

"I was shocked when I heard it was a plane! They fly here everyday – even when it is raining – and there have never been any accidents before," said the 36-year-old teacher.