Three cheat death as light aircraft crashes into Straits of Melaka

The pilot and two others escaped with light injuries when a light aircraft that belonged to the Malaysia Flying Academy (MFA) crashed into the Straits of Melaka near Pulau Melaka, yesterday.

During the 8.26pm incident, the pilot Capt Shar Rom, 27, (woman), co-pilot Fairol Kamil, 23, who is the son of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri and trainee Soh Sien Shoong, 22 were in a Piper PA-28 aircraft that was on a training exercise when it crashed after taking off from the Batu Berendam Airport at 7pm.

Soh who was seated at the rear portion of the aircraft suffered bruises and Shar suffered an injury to her forehead while Fairol did not suffer any injuries.

All three were taken to the Melaka Hospital for treatment.

Jalan Kubu Fire and Rescue Department chief Yazid Mohd Tahir when met by reporters said the station received a distress call at 8.41pm and arrived at the scene shortly with a boat and 15 divers.

Yazid said Shar and Soh managed to swim about 400m to reach the shore before seeking help from the congregation at the Masjid Selat mosque where incidentally Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron was also present.

He said the search and rescue operation was able to locate Fairol who was found near the site of the wreckage at 9.30pm.

"When we arrived at the location where the aircraft had crashed, Fairoz was seen floating but not holding on to anything, except a torchlight to indicate his location," he said.

Meanwhile, Melaka deputy police chief Datuk Shah Gzali Khan Shahadat said the search for the aircraft would continue Wednesday.