KUALA LUMPUR: The Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1), which crashed in Elmina on Aug 17, had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, investigators revealed today.
According to preliminary findings in the Elmina Aircraft Crash report released by the Transport Ministry today, the authorities had concluded that the aircraft had been maintained in compliance with the regulations.
The airplane was manufactured in 2004, and was issued a Standard Airworthiness Certificate with the Federal Aviation Administration on May 10, 2023.
The report also indicated that the plane's Certificate of Airworthiness would only expire on April 17, 2024.
"Automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the accident airplane arrived in Malaysia on May 16, 2023 after departing Germany on May 10, 2023."
The aircraft, which is owned by Koperasi Amanah Pelaburan Bhd, had clocked in 3142.90 flight hours.
On Aug 17, 10 people were killed in the deadly private jet crash on the Guthrie Highway near Bandar Elmina, just minutes from landing at the nearby Subang's Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport from Langkawi.
Initial investigations showed that the aircraft with eight people onboard veered to the right from its flight path before the crash.
The first contact made by the aircraft with Subang Air Traffic Control Tower was at 2.47pm and landing clearance was given at 2.48pm, he said.
At 2.51pm, the Subang Air Traffic Control Tower observed smoke plummeting from the crash site but no mayday call was made by the aircraft.