Asmall business jet crashed at Elmina Township in Shah Alam this afternoon, the second such incident in that area in 46 years.
Pahang state assembly speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin wrote on Facebook that Pelangai assemblyman and member of the Pahang exco, Datuk Seri Johari Harun, was one of the passengers on board the business jet that crashed today. Johari was 53.
Others on board were Captain Shahrul Kamal Roslan, Captain Heikal Aras Abdul Azim, Kharil Azwan Jamaludin, Shaharul Amir Omar, Mohamad Naim Fawwaz Mohamed Muaidi, Muhammad Taufiq Mohd Zaki and Idris Abdol Talib @ Ramali.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail had in a Facebook posting wrote: “It is with great sadness that I was informed that Johari was one of the 10 victims who died in the crash involving an aircraft near Elmina, Seksyen U16, Shah Alam about 2.45pm today. On behalf of the Pahang government, I express my condolences to the family of the deceased (Johari) and the families of all the other victims.”
“Pahang has lost a leader who has been contributing significantly through his services to the people in the state.”
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong had also conveyed their condolences to the family members of those who died in the incident.
The Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM) said in a statement that the aircraft today has been identified as a Beechcraft Model 390, often referred to as the Premier 1.
It gave the plane’s registration number as N28JV, and is operated by a private Malaysian charter firm, Jetvalet Sdn Bhd. The ‘N’ prefix in the registration number identifies it as a US-registered aircraft.
The Model 390 is a light business jet, operated by a two-man flight crew of a pilot and a co-pilot. It can also be flown by a single pilot. Its cabin can accommodate seven luxurious seats and comes equipped with all the modern amenities of an entry-level business jet.
The aircraft is manufactured by Beechcraft, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States.
CAAM said the aircraft took off from Langkawi International Airport at 2:08pm, and headed for Subang’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport.
“The first contact with Subang Air Traffic Control was at 2.47pm, and landing clearance was given at 2.48pm,” said CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Norazman Mahmud.
“At 2.51pm, Subang Air Traffic Control observed smoke from the crash site, but there was no Mayday call.”
He confirmed that there were two pilots and six passengers aboard the aircraft.
Two motorists were also killed when the aircraft struck the ground.
The 1977 crash involved a McDonnell DC-8 aircraft, operated by Japan Air Lines, on Sept 27. Flight 715, with 69 passengers and 10 crew, crashed with the loss of 34 passengers on board.
More to follow.
