PUTRAJAYA: The failure of structural parts due to excessive stress on the aircraft’s compromised composite materials has been identified as the primary cause of the fatal plane crash in Kapar, Selangor, last year.
This was revealed in the Aircraft Accident Final Report issued by the Transport Ministry’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau.
“The accident was primarily caused by the failure and in-flight separation of structural parts due to excessive operational stresses on the aircraft’s weakened composite materials.
“Furthermore, the installation of non-certified parts, specifically the tie-down rings, further weakened the aircraft’s integrity, contributing to the failure,” the report said.
The 204-page report said several contributing factors to the accident have also been identified, such as pilot performance, aircraft maintenance, organisational failures and operational oversight.
“The pilot engaged in aggressive flying manoeuvres beyond the aircraft’s approved limits and that contributed to excessive loading that compromised its structural integrity, leading to the in-flight separation of parts.”
Other findings show the pilot’s blood alcohol concentration was found to be 0.032%, which is above the prescribed legal limit (0.02%) and may have impaired the pilot’s performance.
The report recommended Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to implement enhanced measures for scrutinising non-scheduled flight operations within Malaysia.
