A light jet has crashed in Elmina, Shah Alam, whilst making an approach to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia’s state of Selangor on Thursday afternoon.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 390 twin engine jet, crashed on a highway near Elmina, Shah Alam, resulting of the deaths of all eight persons on board – two crewmembers and six passengers.
News source Free Malaysia Today has cited local police, saying that two persons on the ground, the driver of a car and a motorcycle, were also killed in the ensuing crash.
CAAM statement
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has provided an update regarding the tragic incident involving the Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) aircraft.
CAAM confirms that on Thursday, August 17, 2023, the aircraft with registration number N28JV crashed near Elmina, Shah Alam, Selangor. The aircraft was operated by Jetvalet Sdn. Bhd. and was en route from Langkawi International Airport to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
Timeline of Known Events
The aircraft’s journey began when it departed from Langkawi International Airport at 2:08 p.m. local time. Its destination was Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
The aircraft’s initial contact with Subang Air Traffic Control Tower occurred at 2:47 p.m. local time, and landing clearance was granted at 2:48 p.m. However, at 2:51 p.m., the Subang Air Traffic Control Tower noticed the emergence of smoke from the crash site.
It’s important to note that no mayday call was made by the aircraft, despite the observation of smoke. This unexpected turn of events has raised questions about the circumstances leading to the crash.
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Search and Rescue Efforts
In response to the incident, the Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (KL ARCC) has been activated to oversee the search and rescue mission.
The priority was to locate and provide assistance to the occupants of the aircraft. At the time of the aviation regulator’s state, the conditions of the six passengers and two flight crew members had not yet been confirmed.
It was subsequently reported that all occupants had lost their lives in the accident, with further local news reports saying that two motorists were also killed.
Subang Airport
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), also known as Subang Airport or Subang Skypark, is an airport located in Subang, Petaling District, Selangor, Malaysia. It is the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The airport was originally built in 1965 as Kuala Lumpur’s main airport. However, it was replaced by Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 1998. Today, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport is used for general aviation, cargo, and low-cost carriers.
The airport has one terminal, which is divided into two concourses. Concourse A is used for domestic flights, while Concourse B is used for international flights. The airport also has a cargo terminal and a maintenance hangar.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport is served by a number of airlines, including Firefly, Batik Air Malaysia, SKS Airways, Raya Airways, and Berjaya Air. The airport also serves as a hub for Firefly, which is a regional airline owned by Malaysia Airlines.
The airport is located about 15 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur city center.
Investigating the Accident
The CAAM has confirmed that a thorough safety investigation will be conducted to determine the causes and contributing factors of the crash.
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau, under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, will lead the investigation. This investigation will be conducted in accordance with Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.
The investigation will aim to uncover the sequence of events that led to the tragic crash, shedding light on any potential technical issues, human factors, or external factors that may have played a role.
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