1 week Ago By Zaf Seraj
KUALA LUMPUR: Unsafe flying and poor maintenance caused a Blackshape BK 160TR plane to crash in Kapar, Selangor, on Feb 13 last year, killing the two men on board.The Air Accident Investigation Bureau said in its report released today that the light aircraft was pushed beyond its approved flying limits many times by exceeding maximum speed and weight.It also said the pilot made aggressive and unapproved flying manoeuvres that the plane was not built to handle.
Over time, these practices stressed and weakened the aircraft, especially its composite materials, indicated by evidence of delamination and micro-cracking.Additionally, the structural integrity of the aircraft was also weakened by unapproved maintenance practices, including the installation of non-certified parts by unqualified personnel."The pilot ignored operational limits, including the aircraft's weight limitations and other operational restrictions, performing numerous prohibited manoeuvres that compromised the safe operation of the aircraft and contributed to excessive stresses on the aircraft's structure.
"The pilot participated in maintenance activities on the aircraft despite not being certified to do so, compromising airworthiness and safety, and exhibiting a lack of adherence to standard procedures and safety protocols. "The installation of non-certified parts, specifically the tie-down rings, further weakened the aircraft's integrity, contributing to the failure," the report read. It said the aircraft's maximum allowable take-off weight of 850kg was exceeded by 71.
3kg.Although the pilot was licensed and qualified for the flight, the investigators found that the pilot's blood alcohol concentration was at 0.032 per cent, above the prescribed legal limit of 0.
02 per cent."The pilot's alcohol impairment significantly compromised his judgment, resulting in critical failures to recognise and respond to the aircraft's structural distress," the investigators said. The bureau also found that the aircraft operator, along with the distributor, failed to ensure adherence to proper operation, maintenance and safety protocols.
No procedures were in place to enforce safe operational limits, contributing to an unsafe operational environment."Inadequate supervision from all involved organisations — Sky Media, the Aviation Safety Technology Pte Ltd (AST), and the Air Adventure Flying Club — allowed these unsafe practices to persist."This lack of supervision enabled the pilot to operate the aircraft beyond its safe limits," the report said.
Singapore-based private operator AST also did not hold any certificate or approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) as an aircraft operator under Malaysian regulations.The bureau said no one could have survived the accident due to the magnitude of the deceleration forces involved upon impact. "It must be emphasised that these findings are not intended to apportion blame or liability but rather to facilitate the prevention of future accidents and enhance overall aviation safety.
"The adoption of the recommended safety measures will help address the identified shortcomings, strengthen the aviation safety framework, and mitigate risks associated with operational lapses and regulatory gaps."© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
