Malaysia's transport minister, Anthony Loke, says the country must tighten the rules around the operation of foreign aircraft in the wake of a US-registered business jet crash in Elmina, Selangor state, in August 2023 that killed ten people.
"There is a need to strengthen the regulations over the operations of foreign aircraft here," he told media in Kuala Lumpur on August 20, 2024.
Loke's comments coincided with a Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) decision to start reviewing regulation 147 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016, which governs the use of foreign-registered aircraft in the country. "This review aims to empower the CAAM with improved oversight capabilities regarding foreign-registered aircraft operating within Malaysia, ensuring that all aviation activities in the country adhere to the highest safety standard," said CAAM CEO Norazman Mahmud.
The recently released Air Accident Investigation Bureau report into the August 17, 2023, crash of the Beechcraft 390 Premier I jet, found pilot error was the cause, specifically the accidental extension of the lift dump spoilers by the pilots during a pre-landing checklist routine. All eight people onboard plus two on the ground were killed.
Mahmud said that in the wake of the crash, the CAAM had stepped up its ramp inspections and surveillance of general aviation foreign operators, particularly at Kuala Lumpur Subang where there is a significant amount of aircraft activity. "CAAM anticipates publishing the new proposed regulations by the end of 2024," he added.
