RMAF board of inquiry to identify causes of air crash

The Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Board of Inquiry will carry out investigations to identify the causes that could have led to the crash of the Beechcraft B200T aircraft during a training session at the Butterworth airbase yesterday.

RMAF chief Gen Datuk Seri Affendi Buang said the board would also identify the problems faced by the aircraft before it crashed.

He said although the aircraft had been in service for over 20 years now, it was still in good condition as it had always undergone its scheduled maintenance.

"Although it is a 20 years old aircraft, it never had engine failure and the weather during the training session was not a problem," he told reporters after visiting the victims of the crash at the Seberang Jaya Hospital here on Wednesday.

He said the incident, which occurred about 5.18pm, involved a senior pilot and three other crew members.

READ: RMAF pilot dies, three injured in turboprop plane crash near Butterworth airbase

READ: RMAF plane crash: Special team set up to probe Butterworth incident

Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum said he felt saddened over the incident which claimed the live of the pilot.

He said the most important thing to do now was to ensure that all injured victims be treated and a post-mortem be conducted on the perished pilot.

"We're also proud of the RMAF rescue team members who work hard and with speed to save the victims trapped (in the aircraft) after the crash," he said, adding that welfare assistance would be given to the victims' family members.

-- BERNAMA