Elmina crash site was also where Japanese plane went down in ‘77
PETALING JAYA: The Elmina housing estate, where a plane crashed killing 10 people yesterday, was also the site of another air crash 46 years ago.
On Sept 27, 1977, a McDonnell Douglas aircraft belonging to Japan Airlines crashed at the site, some 6km from what was then known as Subang International Airport.
The place, now a bustling township, was then a rubber plantation estate.
Cordoned off: Police officers investigating the crash site in Elmina, Shah Alam. — Bernama
The plane was on its way from Kai Tak International Airport in Hong Kong to Subang when it flew into a thunderstorm.
The aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude of 750ft (228.6m), before crashing into the side of the hill at the height of 300ft (91m).
The crash killed 34 of the 79 people – 69 passengers and 10 crew members – aboard the DCS jet. There were 45 survivors.
Looking for remains: Medical personnel searching the area of the crash where parts of the plane are strewn. — Reuters
Airport officials said some of the survivors were taken from the crash scene to the airport by helicopter.
The plane was due for a stopover in Kuala Lumpur before flying to Singapore.
According to reports then, the pilot was alerted by the control tower of heavy rains and thunderstorms and had agreed to the controller’s suggestion that he fly straight on to Singapore.
In shock: Smoke rising from the site of the crash. — Screencap taken from social media
Then, all contact was lost.
All planes in the area were then alerted to look out for the JAL jet.
A few minutes later, the captain of a Malaysian Airlines plane reported sighting a huge ball of fire north of the airport.
