JASIN, 14 Oct 2017:
A pilot was killed while his co-pilot was injured after a GT500 Microlight aircraft crashed in Sungai Mati, Muar, Johor, at about 11.30am today.
The body of Yee Yoon Fah, 54, was sent to Tangkak Hospital while co-pilot Mohd Shahrul Shafiri, 35 – who suffered injuries on the face and body – was rushed to Muar Hospital for treatment.
Deputy Supt Kamaruzaman Mohd Din of Melaka Fire and Rescue Department said the one-engine aircraft had just left Sungai Rambai Aerodrome, about 200m away, when the crash occurred.
“We (Fire & Rescue Department) received a distress call at 11. 53am from kampung folks. Three fire trucks were rushed to the scene.”
On arrival at the scene of the crash, Kamaruzaman said the firefighters found the aircraft had turned turtle in the river.
”The injured co-pilot was found on the river bank. Firefighters took about 15 minutes to extricate the pilot’s body from the aircraft.”
Meanwhile, Sungai Rambai Aerodrome chairman Datuk Hassan Abd Rahman said he was told the aircraft was undergoing tests to obtain a flying licence from Department of Civil Aviation.
“The operation of Sungai Rambai Aerodrome has ceased immediately until the investigation of the crash by the authorities are completed,” said Hassan.
– Bernama