Residents and motorists didn’t expect it to be a plane crash

SHAH ALAM: Residents and motorists near the plane crash site in Elmina here were shocked by the deafening explosion but none of them even thought that it would be such a disaster.

Anwar Erwan, 43, said he thought it was another training session of the air force or a low-flying aircraft overhead.

“I used to hear sounds of airplanes or the blast of fighter jets flying past, especially when National Day is near.

“When I heard a loud sound around 2.30pm, I did not give it much attention and thought it was another practice session,” said the network consultant, who lives in Elmina Valley 2, just beside the road where the Beechcraft Premier I plane crashed yesterday.

Another resident, who only wished to be known as Sivakumaran, 52, said he thought the tyre of a truck had burst.

“I am used to hearing sounds of vehicle tyres exploding from the highway. This time, the sound was much louder and I assumed it was a big truck,” added the retired security guard.

According to Sinar Harian, former air force serviceman Mohd Syahmie Md Hashim, 31, said he saw the plane flying erratically before hearing a loud boom.

“At first, I thought a factory had caught fire. I went straight to the location and saw the plane in pieces. I also saw somebody in flames,” he said.

Nur Alia Nordin, who lives in Kampung Kubu Gajah, said she was terrified by the deafening explosion and ran out to see what was the cause.

“I saw thick black smoke from an area about 3km away, so I quickly went to check it out. As soon as I got there, I saw a motorcycle and a plane on fire, a person was in flames, on the ground,” the 28-year-old told Bernama.