SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 — A light aircraft has plummeted into a fireball at Elmina Central Park here this evening, killing 10 people.
Footages of the crash site are currently making rounds on social media. Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky, with debris strewn across the road.
The private aircraft was on its way to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang from Langkawi.
Bernama quoted Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim as confirming the incident, adding that his team has been rushed to the crash site. Fire and Rescue Department personnel are also at the scene.
Several media have reported that all eight people onboard the private charter were killed.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan also confirmed that two others on the ground perished in the tragedy, bringing the total fatalities to 10.
In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said a total of six passengers and two flight crews were on board the aircraft, which has been identified to be a Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) operated by Jetvalet Sdn Bhd.
It added that a safety investigation will be conducted immediately by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Transport Ministry, in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.
According to CAAM, the aircraft had departed Langkawi International Airport at 2.08pm and made first contact with the Subang Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower at 2.47pm, with landing clearance given a minute later.
However, at 2.51pm, the ATC observed smoke originating from the crash site, although no mayday call was made by the aircraft.
“Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (KL ARCC) has been activated to coordinate the search and rescue mission,” it said today.
