Both pilots in perfect health, says plane crash preliminary report

KUALA LUMPUR: There was no evidence of that the pilot in the fatal air crash in Shah Alam, Selangor, was incapacitated or had physiological factors that affected his performance that led to the tragedy.

According to the Aircraft Accident Preliminary Report issued by the Transport Ministry Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday (Sept 15), both the pilot-in-command (PIC) and second-in-command (SIC) had sufficient rest before the flight and had no serious medical problems, based on their health records and physical examinations.

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“According to a witness, the pilot was well the night before the accident. The witness also said that he had a good rest before the flight which departed from Langkawi,” said the report released on Friday.

On Aug 17, a private aircraft, a Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) bearing the registration number N28JV, crashed in Shah Alam, killing eight on board (six passengers and two flight crew members), one e-hailing driver and a p-hailling motorcyclist.

The 60-page report also explained that the PIC was licensed and qualified for the flight in accordance with existing regulations and both pilots held valid medical certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

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The report stated that the PIC gained a First Class Medical Certificate from FAA with a limitation that he “must use corrective lenses to meet vision standards at all required distances” on March 24, 2023, and held the CAAM Medical Certificate which was valid from Dec 6, 2022, till Dec 31, 2023, with limitation of “VDL – valid only with correction for defective distant vision”.

“The review of the medical certificate and supporting documentation indicated that the PIC reported no significant medical concerns and the attending Designated Medical Examiner (DME) identified no significant conditions on physical examination.

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“Based on available history and physical examinations, this pilot had no known medical conditions that could pose significant hazards to flight safety,” the report said.

Another finding shows that the incident happened in the daytime with reported clear visibility as more than 10km and fine meteorological conditions with winds were variable (VRB) at five knots.

However, the AAIB noted that the report contains a statement of facts which has been determined up to the time it has been issued, it must be regarded as tentative and is subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available.

MOT in a statement today said the final report of the investigation will be completed no later than August next year in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO Annex 13), which allows for a 12-month period to finalise the document following the accident. – BK