The Blackshape BK 160TR light aircraft that crashed into an oil palm plantation on Feb 16, killing the pilot and passenger, likely broke up mid-flight, the Malaysian Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said today.
“The distribution of the debris around the area strongly suggests that large structural parts had separated from the aircraft while in-flight, before ground impact at the oil palm plantation.
“There was no sign of any pre-crash or post-crash fire on any of the debris found at all the sites,” the AAIB said in its preliminary report released today, adding that the sheer force of the impact was not survivable.
On Saturday, Feb 17th, The Malaysian Transport Minister said that , any statements regarding the light aircraft crash in Kapar, Klang will be issued by the Transport Ministry's Air Accident Investigation Bureau.
The light aircraft that crashed in Kapar, Selangor, was supposed to be grounded since last year, according to the aircraft’s Italy-based manufacturer.
The report also noted that the aircraft was subject to a grounding order or not allowed to fly, and that maintenance schedules were “irregular”, sometimes performed by unlicensed technicians.
The preliminary report, which was published today by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) also found that the aircraft's actual take-off weight had exceeded the maximum take-off weight limitation of the aircraft.
“There is evidence that the aircraft had exceeded the maximum take-off weight, which is 850kg,” the AAIB added.
It added the unauthorised installation included modifications made by the pilot, but it was still investigating whether this had any bearing on the crash.
Blackshape S.p.A, which manufactured the ill-fated Gabriel BK160TR aircraft, said a "no fly-order" for the plane was issued by the company on October 25, 2023 and had sent several reminders to the aircraft's distributors.
The Gabriel BK160TR aircraft, operated by Air Adventure Flying Club, took off from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, at 1.28pm, for a recreational flight.
The 30-year-old pilot was a flight instructor at the Air Adventure Flying Club, the bureau said. It noted that the pilot was certified to teach on the Piper PA28 and Cessna 172 aircraft, but not the Blackshape BK 160TR.
Earlier, Blackshape said that it reserved the right to take legal action for compensation and damages against those responsible for the violations and those who spread "false and defamatory" information to protect its reputation.
