KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong was taken aback by the loss of a pilot’s life after a Piper 28 plane crashed during a night training flight at Sungai Pinji, near Medan Gopeng, Ipoh earlier tonight.
In a statement, Wee said he was extremely saddened to receive the update and hoped that the co-pilot which was extracted from the crash site and is now being treated for head injuries at the hospital would recover well.
“We hope and pray for strength for their families. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Transport will be investigating this incident in- depth in accordance with Part XXVI Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.
“It is very tragic for this incident to have occurred and we must do everything we can to ascertain the causes and ensure greater safety,” he said on his Facebook posting today.
Meanwhile, CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Captain Chester Voo echoed Wee that an investigation will be carried out.
CAAM had also confirmed the accident after the aircraft took off from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport on Monday, 1 August 2022.
“CAAM Ipoh Air Traffic Control Tower received a mayday call at 8:07 pm. The involved aircraft is a Piper 28-161, registration 9M-BAA and is operated by BATS Aviation Sdn Bhd,” said Voo.
He reaffirmed that one pilot succumbed to the injuries while the other pilot suffered serious injuries and is currently receiving medical assistance.
