RMAF aircraft crashes at Butterworth airbase; one dead, three injured
NST
GEORGE TOWN: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilot was killed while three officers were injured when the Beechcraft B200T aircraft they were in crashed while attempting to land at the Butterworth Air Force base this evening.
Sources told the New Straits Times that the aircraft, originating from Subang, was on a training mission when the accident occurred at 5.20pm.
The victims are believed to have been sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital for treatment.
Pictures have emerged on what is believed to be the scene of the accident.
Several images show the wreckage of an aircraft along the tarmac, as well as one of a column of smoke emanating from a wreck.
RMAF has issued the following statement:
“An RMAF Beechcraft B200T aircraft carrying four crewmen met in an accident near the Peluru Terminal, Butterworth Airbase at 5.18pm.
“One crew member was reportedly killed while three more were injured. They were brought to the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
“RMAF is contacting the families of the crew members involved in the accident.
“RMAF will form an investigating team to probe the cause of the accident.”
RMAF has four Beechcraft B200T in service. The aircraft, which has a four-man crew, is primarily used for maritime patrols and search and rescue operations.
This marks the second major incident involving an RMAF aircraft this year. In May, an RMAF Aermacchi MB339CM aircraft crashed in a paddy field in Nenasi, near Pekan, Pahang.
The Italian military trainer and light attack aircraft, based in Kuantan, had encountered technical difficulties mid-flight.
However, no fatalities were reported as the two crewmen ejected to safety.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
