No problems with flight crew, says report

Tragic end: Initial investigations into the plane crash show the crew was not incapacitated nor was there signs of physiological stress. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: There was no evidence of incapacitation or physiological factors that affected the flight crew performance in the airplane crash in Shah Alam last month, a preliminary report has found.

The preliminary findings of the investigation into the crash of the Beechcraft Model 390 Premier 1 flying from Langkawi to Subang on Aug 17 also determined that the crew was competent in all respects.

In the report released yesterday on the Transport Ministry’s website, the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate and “had been maintained in compliance with regulations”.

AAIB is an independent unit within the ministry that reports directly to the Transport Minister.

However, no transcript of the last 30 minutes of the voice recording from the cockpit was released, even though the recovery of data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was successful.

“Initial analysis of the recovered CVR recording has provided critical leads to uncovering the cause of the accident, with a focus on the aircraft flight control systems.

“Results from the pending inspection and examination of the related aircraft parts and components at the (United States) National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) and OEM laboratories are necessary to provide collaborative and/or conclusive evidence in establishing the cause of the accident,” said the report.

In a statement following the release of the preliminary report, the Transport Ministry said the submission of the preliminary report within 30 days fulfils the standards under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“The ministry wishes to express its gratitude to NTSB and also Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau for the assistance rendered to AAIB’s investigations through their respective accredited representatives, along with their technical advisers.”

The ministry also emphasised that the preliminary report was just an initial finding that is believed to be accurate up to the moment the report was published.

“This report contains statements of facts that have been determined up to the time of issue. It must be regarded as tentative, and is subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available,” the ministry said.

The update regarding the investigation will hinge heavily on the 30-minute voice recording obtained from the CVR of the Beechcraft aircraft, which is not required to have a flight data recorder.

The crash during fine weather claimed the lives of 10 people, comprising six passengers and two crew members, as well as a p-hailing rider and an ehailing driver who happened to be using the road in front of the Elmina township in Shah Alam, Selangor.

The passengers included Pahang local government, housing, environment and green technology committee chairman Datuk Seri Johari Harun, who was also the Pelangai state assemblyman.

The by-election for his vacated seat will take place on Oct 7, following nominations on Sept 23, while early voting has been fixed for Oct 3.

Barisan Nasional is expected to unveil its candidate tomorrow.

In the 15th General Election last November, Johari, who represented Barisan and contested for the first time, won with a 4,048-vote majority in a four-cornered fight.