Kuala lumpur: In a devastating incident, a light plane plummeted onto a four-lane road near Malaysia's capital on Thursday, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 lives. Among the victims were eight individuals on board the plane, while two motorists on the ground also lost their lives. The aircraft burst into a fireball upon impact, engulfed in thick black smoke, as captured in poignant video clips from the scene.
Local police chief Mohamad Iqbal Ibrahim revealed the somber toll, stating, "For now, I can say at least 10 people were killed in the plane crash. Two passing motorists — one in a car and one on a motorcycle — also perished together with the eight on board the plane."
One of the plane's passengers, Johari Harun, a state assemblyman from central Pahang state responsible for housing and the environment, was also among the casualties.
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The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft Model 390, had departed from the northern resort island of Langkawi and was en route to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport near Kuala Lumpur. Regrettably, the plane veered off course before the crash, with witnesses recounting erratic flight patterns and a subsequent explosion.
Malaysia's civil aviation authority confirmed that the aircraft was carrying six passengers and two flight crew members at the time of the accident. Norazman Mahmud, the chief of the authority, disclosed that no distress call had been issued before the crash.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke explained that investigators would focus on deciphering the cause of the accident, with particular emphasis on retrieving the aircraft's black box containing vital flight data. He emphasized the need to refrain from speculative conclusions until investigations are concluded.
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The tragedy unfolded with the plane erupting in flames as it collided with the road near Elmina Estate, close to Shah Alam, a suburb housing both residential areas and industrial facilities. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion as debris scattered around the crash site. Video footage captured by witnesses and dashcams depicted the fireball and the ensuing devastation.
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This heartbreaking incident is a poignant reminder of the fragility of aviation safety and the catastrophic consequences of such accidents. As the investigation proceeds, families mourn the lives lost, and the aviation community reflects on the imperative of maintaining the highest standards of safety and security